Library Square, Ringsend, Dublin 4
LAW: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (AS AMENDED) PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS 2001 (AS AMENDED) - PART 8 Applicant: Dublin City Council, Housing Department, South East Area Office in conjunction with Dublin City Libraries Proposal: Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given of the proposal to extend and refurbish Ringsend Library and to carry out improvements to the surrounding public realm at the above location. Works to the Library include a single storey extension which wraps around two sides and rear of the existing building preserving the front elevation, and which includes the demolition of the lean-to ancillary structure to the rear. The new extension increases the building footprint from 247m² to 544m², comprising universal access to a new entrance foyer relocated to the northern facade which includes a buggy store and public disabled access WC to the north and meeting room, flexible exhibition space, and children's area to southern half of the extension. It is proposed to restore stepped access to the Library front door as part of building conservation, to be used as emergency exit door only. Provision is also made for staff office space, meeting rooms, a canteen, WC and various plant space. At roof level a green/blue roof and solar panels will be introduced in line with the DCC Development Plan 2022-2028. Works to the public realm include re-alignment and reduction of road levels to allow the creation of a new controlled pedestrian crossing from Library Square to St. Patrick's Villas; relocation of Dublin Bus stop No.356; provision of segregated inbound and outbound bicycle lanes; re-paving works to the Library Square plaza and the surrounding public realm generally; the introduction of a suite of new street furniture to include bench seating, bicycle parking, litter bins and wayfinding as required; feature planting with specimen trees and provision of SUDS drainage benefit; feature lighting to enhance the new environment; relocation of 'The Door' sculpture to a central location within the plaza. Along Fitzwilliam Street works include re-alignment and reduction of the vehicle carriageway to 3.1m; repositioning of the universally accessible parking space adjacent to the medical centre; clear definition of the pedestrian and vehicular spaces by introducing raised kerbs including a 1.2m pedestrian refuge zone along the southern & western facade of the proposed library extension; It is proposed to limit the vehicle length allowed to access Fitzwilliam Street to 8m. Plans and particulars of the proposed development, including the determinations made under Articles 81A(5)and 81A(6) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy for a period of 4 weeks from 30/11/2023, at the offices of Dublin City Council, Planning Department, Block 4, Ground Floor, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 during its public opening hours (09.00 hrs - 16.30 hrs). and may be viewed at Ringsend Library during opening times. The plans and particulars are available to view online on Citizen Space: https://consultation.dublincity.ie/ The Local Authority has concluded following a preliminary examination that there is no real likelihood of the proposed development having significant effects on the environment and therefore an EIA is not required. A submission or observation in relation to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the development would be situated, may be made, in writing, to the Executive Manager, Planning and Property Development Department, Dublin City Council, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin D08 RF3F, before 16.30 hrs on 18/1/2024. Submissions or observations may also be made online on Citizen Space: https://consultation.dublincity.ie/ before 23.59 hrs on 18/1/2024.