Roche attacked (Again)

Thomond Pk

Protection of use of listed buildings enshrined in Dublin City Development
Plan

Dublin City Council tonight made an important change to the Dublin City
Development Plan to respond to heritage questions thrown up by the closure
of Bewley’s cafes.

As a result of the motion proposed by Councillor Oisin Quinn (Labour) and
seconded by former Lord Mayor Councillor Michael Conaghan, the Development Plan now protects a building not just for it’s physical structure but also “where the use is considered to be an intrinsic aspect of the special
social, cultural/artistic interest of those premises”.

Councillor Michael Conaghan commended the tireless work of the Save Bewley’s Cafes Campaign in seeking solutions to save the cafes in Grafton and Westmoreland Streets and in particular its appeal victory at An Bord
Pleanala which prevented the café in Westmoreland Street from being
converted into a hotel lobby to serve the Temple Bar public.

The change was supported by An Taisce and was welcomed by the City Manager who recommended it to the City Council as a new policy which “will have a positive effect on the protection of the city’s heritage”.

Minister for the Environment Dick Roche T.D. was criticised by Councellor
Quinn for not introducing National Trust legislation in line with best
practise in the rest of the EU.

Damian Cassidy on behalf of the Save Bewley’s Cafes Campaign welcomed the variation to the Plan, particularly as it was passed during Heritage Week.

For further information please contact
Councillor Michael Conaghan

Quinn the younger is emerging