Dublin Family Courts - Part IX Planning

In accordance with Part 9 of S.I. No. 600/2001, Planning and Development Regulations 2001(as amended), give notice of their intention to carry out the following development of:

The Dublin Family Courts, located between Hammond Lane, Church Street and Bow Street, Dublin 7.

The proposed development will consist of:

Demolition of existing site perimeter fencing and construction of a new temporary hoarding to the site for the duration of the works. Construction of a two to four storey block on Bow Street/ Smithfield, four to six storey blocks on Hammond Lane, four to six storey blocks on the Luas line and two to four storey blocks on Church Street. The central atrium connecting these blocks will be six storey with plant area to flat roof sections. The remainder of the flat roofs with parapets comprise of blue and green roof build ups.

The building complex comprises of 19 court rooms and a number of virtual court rooms, mediation and support facilities, office accommodation, Judges and staff accommodation, custody accommodation, a double ESB substation and all other ancillary accommodation. The public entrance will be located facing Bow Street/ Smithfield, with a staff entrance on Church Street and vehicular entrance on Hammond Lane. The basement will house archive storage, general storage, plant areas, bin store, circa 76 no. bicycle parking spaces, 2 no. custody van parking bays and circa 14 no. car parking spaces. The total area of the Dublin Family Courts is circa 18,252m2 (4,176m2 basement & 14,076m2 above ground). The external works will comprise of hard and soft landscaping, lighting, CCTV, new steps and ramps to facilitate universal access to the entrances of the Family Courts with railings, gates, signage, basement ventilation, seating, bollards new surface water attenuation, a new foul connection and all associated ancillary works on a site area of circa. 0.45 hectares.

An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening was undertaken for the proposed development. It concluded that there would be no likely significant effects on any Natura 2000 sites, either alone or in combination with any other plans or projects.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening was undertaken for the proposed development. It determined that the proposed development will not give rise to significant environmental change by virtue of its characteristics, location, operational activities, or the nature of the impacts, and as such, an EIAR is not necessary. Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of the notice, apply to An Bord Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment.

The above mentioned EIA and AA screenings may be inspected online at the following website: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultations/

The drawings and particulars of the proposed development will be available for inspection by appointment only and with two working days’ notice, between 9.30am and 12.30pm and between 2.30pm and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday for a period of 6 weeks (the period between 22nd December and 4th January, both days inclusive, shall be disregarded) beginning on the date of the publication of this notice at:

Major Projects, Office of Public Works, 1GQ, George’s Quay, Dublin 2, D02 Y098

and at

The Courts Service, Phoenix House, 15/24 Phoenix Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 F95Y

All appointments for viewings should be sent to: dfcpart9@courts.ie or dfcpart9@opw.ie

Submissions and/or observations on the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and development of the area, may be made in writing within a period of 6 weeks beginning on the date of the publication of this notice (the period between 22nd December and 4th January, both days inclusive, shall be disregarded) to:

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, Office of Public Works, Major Projects, 1GQ, George’s Quay, D02 Y098.