Embankment to be redeveloped

The embankment, Tallaght, a well known music venue from the showband days, is to be redeveloped as an entertainment venue to serve Tallaght and the west Wicklow area.

Planning permission already exists for the demolition of existing buildings on the extensive six-acre site and their replacement with a leisure and entertainment complex. Plans were lodged with South Dublin County Council in 1998 for a single-storey public house, a 10,760 sq ft restaurant, a creche, swimming-pool and a three level, 54-bedroom hotel with conference and banqueting facilities. The application also included a three-level aparthotel in three separate blocks of 16,140 sq ft each, containing 36 apartments. The existing entrance on the N81 Dublin to Blessington road was to be closed and a new entrance created off the Saggart Road.

According to a recent planning application lodged with the council, a company called Mardivale Ltd aims to redevelop the complex with a new public house, a "rearrangement of buildings" and car-parking. The subsequent permission granted in August 1998 by the council imposed no less than 28 separate conditions relating to car-parking, choice of materials, drainage, and financial contributions of £70,000 (€88,881) and £182,000 (€231,092) towards the cost of public services and road improvements. An insurance bond of £56,000 (€71,105) was also required.

The council, which noted in its permission that "water cannot be guaranteed at all times due to lack of adequate volumes of treated water available to consumers in the greater Dublin region", insisted that the developers install water storage facilities for 24 hours use and for fire-fighting purposes.

Now the company which achieved the original planning permission has lodged another application seeking revisions to the planning permission.

The revisions, which do not appear to be substantial, include a "rearrangement of buildings and car-parking within the site," together with a redesigned public house with a first-floor restaurant extension.

The site, bounded by the Blessington and Saggart Roads has substantially increased in value since 1998 and further development proposals in the Tallaght/Saggart and Blessington areas can only add to the potential of the development.

The original venue has seen tremendous growth in its hinterland since it was closed about two decades ago.