Appeal warns pub in Temple Bar faces closure if planning permission is refused
A planning appeal has heard that if An Bord Pleanála was to refuse planning retention for Temple Bar ‘superpub’ The Giddy Dolphin, it would lead to the closure of the premises and the loss of jobs.
Keywell DAC is appealing against Dublin City Council’s planning refusal to retain The Giddy Dolphin as a licensed premises.
Since March of this year, Keywell is the new owner of the Clarence Hotel and Dollard House which houses The Giddy Dolphin, 2-5 Wellington Quay and 1-5 Essex Street East, Dublin 2.
There was a sitting tenant at Dollard House operating The Giddy Dolphin at the time of purchase, but the Council refused the retention application last month after concluding that the proposed retention of the licensed premises “would constitute a ‘superpub’ which is discouraged and would add to an over-concentration of licensed premises in the immediate area”.
Keywell lodged plans to retain the change of use from retail (artisan delicatessen) to licensed premises with food service for The Giddy Dolphin ahead of preparation of a comprehensive planning application for the Clarence and Dollard House, “in the interests of protecting existing contractual employment arrangements on site”.
On behalf of Keywell, planning consultants Stephen Little & Associates states there is no definition of a ‘superpub’ in the Dublin City Development Plan. The appeal also contends that a planning retention refusal will result in the premises remaining vacant and inactive. The appeal further states that Keywell would accept a condition that any planning permission would be temporary until such time as planning permission for Dollard House as a hotel in connection with the Clarence Hotel is secure.
The appeal states: “In any event, no longer than a specified period of two to three years.” The appeal points out that no structural alterations or works to the premises, which is a protected structure, has been carried out.
Temple Bar resident Declan O’Brien was the sole objector to the application and he told the council that the application “will further erode the diversity of retail in the area”.
He said: “There is already an over-saturation of licensed premises in Temple Bar. Granting this expansion will further tip the balance away from the eclectic mix of business outlets that defines the area.”