Neighbours object to Ronan’s plan to build office under garden
HE famously regrets not bidding enough to purchase the freehold on the world’s most famous skyscraper. But it is Johnny Ronan’s plans for going underground that have now met resistance among his neighbours in Dublin.
A number of residents are up in arms over the businessman’s plans to build an extension beneath his house on Fitzwilliam Square in Dublin 2.
A number of objections have now been lodged with Dublin City Council against the planned development that will run the length of the property’s garden.
Earlier this year, Mr Ronan, whose projects include Spencer Dock and the Dublin Convention Centre, revealed that he missed out on buying the freehold on New York’s Empire State Building.
But his latest development is facing opposition closer to home. In Fitzwilliam Square, local resident James O’Donnell told the council he is worried that ‘my house will be undermined by digging the basement’.
An objection lodged on behalf of Kelley Smith and Aidan Walsh claim that the proposed development ‘presents a significant risk to the residential amenity and stability of neighbouring properties’.
In their objection, Frank Callanan and Richard Callanan cite a house in London which began to subside, pulling its neighbours’ houses down with it, after a man began to excavate his property to make way for a subterranean play room for his children.
The Callanans state: ‘It behoves us to look to the experience of other cities, in particular Lonbouring don, where they have experience of this type of development.’
An objection lodged on behalf of Amaska Holdings ULC states that the development of basement accommodation is a recent phenomenon ‘and if the current proposal is permitted, it will undoubtedly set an undesirable precedent for such development in the city, particularly within Georgian squares’.
Seven objections from neigh- property owners have been lodged along with one from the Pembroke Road Association.
An Taisce is supporting their position. Kevin Duff of An Taisce’s Dublin City Association points out that the proposal involves the excavation of the rear garden for a substantial basement extension. Mr Duff states the planned subterranean excavation has significant geological and structural impacts for adjacent properties and should be refused planning permission.
Mr Duff claims that the plan is not appropriate in Dublin’s main Georgian areas.
However, consultants for Mr Ronan, John Spain and Associates, state there will be no significant negative impact from the development. Mr Spain said the works ‘will ensure the long-term future of the protected structure by keeping it in active use in a suitable form for potential occupiers’. A decision is due on the application next month.
‘My house will be undermined’