UK pub giant JD Wetherspoon is proposing to deploy a two-inch-thick, 13-foot-high acoustic glass screen and a four-inch-thick acoustic quilt at a hotel beer garden in Dublin in a bid to allay local residents’ noise concerns.
It is now one year since JD Wetherspoon abandoned its plans to erect a 43ft-high sound barrier for a beer garden at its at Keavan’s Port Hotel on Dublin’s Camden Street. The proposed barrier was “taller than the Berlin Wall”, one objector said.
JD Wetherspoon withdrew its appeal at An Bord Pleanála against Dublin City Council’s comprehensive refusal to the sound barrier amid strong local opposition.
Keavan’s Port Hotel, the group’s largest single investment in Ireland, has given notice that it is to lodge plans in the coming days with Dublin City Council for an array of noise limiting elements to allow the operation of a 560sq ft (52sq m) partially enclosed pavilion area at the hotel.
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[ JD Wetherspoon plans sound barrier at Keavan’s Port hotelOpens in new window ]
The plan includes the construction of a partially enclosed pavilion area which will be located 18.7m from the existing southern boundary wall.
In a move to address residents’ noise concerns, Wetherspoon is proposing to construct a 13ft-high acoustic glass screen which will be 27ft wide.
The glass – two inches thick – will be fixed to the pavilion and wall at an angle with the four-inch thick acoustic quilt to be installed under the roof of the pavilion.
The plan also includes the construction of an acoustic glazed low-level structural wall and frame facing the south side boundary of the courtyard to prevent patron access to the southern end of the courtyard.
[ Wetherspoon appeals refusal of permission for Camden Street sound barrierOpens in new window ]
The pub operator is also planning to put in place two external canopies located either side of the pavilion with an uncovered patrons’ smoking area covering 1,130sq ft.
In April 2022, Wetherspoon’s temporarily ceased trading at the courtyard at its Camden Street hotel arising from local complaints over noise levels.
A planning submission previously stated that the closure of the courtyard demonstrated JD Wetherspoon’s commitment to being a good neighbour and working with residents to resolve issues.
When contacted, a spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said: “The proposed scheme is designed to attenuate sound issues and the company now awaits the determination of the application by Dublin City Council. The garden will remain closed in the interim.”
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