On the final day of the Bord Pleanala oral hearing on the Spencer Dock scheme, the developers yesterday outlined proposals to lower certain buildings.
Summing up, Mr Tom Philips for the developer, Treasury Holdings, said they would reduce the height of buildings to the north and east of the development in order to accommodate residents who would live close to it.
"Concerns regarding the impact have been raised by residents, the planning authority and third parties and have been acknowledged by the scheme architect and by members of the first party," he said.
A building to the south of Mayor Street would be reduced from 12 floors to nine. A building to the north of the six houses on Mayor Street would be reduced from 14 floors to 10. The level of the two-storey podium within this area would also be reduced.
On the proposed reduction in building height, Mr Philips said: "Analysis undertaken by the first party sunlight/daylight expert, Prof Dermot O'Connell, would suggest that the concerns expressed by him in relation to the relationship to existing residential properties on Mayor Street and New Wapping Street would be overcome."
He added that although Prof O'Connell did not consider the development to adversely affect Abercorn Road, a reduction in the height of two further buildings "might constitute an appropriate design response to address the residents' perceived concerns". Two buildings close to Sheriff Street would be reduced from 17 floors to 15.
Mr Philips requested the board to grant full permission for the development of Phase 1, which includes the national conference centre.
He asked the board to grant permission for the allocation of the number of parking spaces as submitted.
He also urged the board to grant the developers the six million square feet of floor space they had sought in their application.
Mr Philips said the developers, in their design of the scheme, had taken account of the need for a national conference centre for Dublin and had outlined a provision for transport services for the short to medium term.
He added that the scheme had regard to the Dublin Docklands Master Plan, the Dublin City Development Plan and the Residential Planning Guidelines. The development also had regard to a location outside the historic centre and core of Dublin city.
With regard to protected structures, Mr Philips said there were exceptional circumstances for the demolition of Campion's Bar. "It is considered appropriate to identify those elements of the structure that are of architectural merit that might be salvaged and reused prior to their removal," he said.
"Subject to conditions that may be imposed by the board, the proposed development is acceptable in terms of architectural/urban design, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, or property of the vicinity, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience."