THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER SPRING 2019 Dartmouth Square and the development that still looms adjoining ACA” (the Dartmouth Square Architectural Conservation Area). The council’s grant of planning permission was appealed by both ULSARA and Dartmouth Square Residents amongst others to An Bord Pleanála (the Board). By letter dated December 5th 2018 the Board had invited observations from all appellants in response to revised proposals it had received from the The proposed developers. The revised submissions development at Dartmouth Square had been received by the Board by way of the developer’s response to Inside The saga of the proposed the appeals made. redevelopment of the Carroll’s MetroLink discussions In ULSARA’s detailed further Building at Grand Parade drags on. continue submission three overarching ULSARA members will recall that reasons were set out as to why the 50 years of preservation the association has been engaging association remains of the view and community with two successive developers and that planning permission should be development marked Dublin City Council (the council) refused: Appeal against about plans to redevelop this site which stretches from Grand Parade Wilton Park House 1. The proposed development back behind all the houses on the redevelopment by reason of its design, height, west side of Dartmouth Square. Heritage Trail app is massing, scale and location will materially and adversely affect open for business The association maintains a belief the character and setting of the that planners would be unwise to existing protected structure, Dodder Greenway authorise development on the site would have a detrimental effect plans afoot until the MetroLink routing/alignment on the designated Dartmouth issues are resolved, given the pivotal Square and Environs Architectural importance of the site in plans for Conservation Area and the Grand interconnection between the Metro ULSARA AGM Canal Conservation area and and Luas Green Line. Wednesday April 3rd 2019 would seriously injure the visual at 7.30 pm The current planning application amenities of the area and of property in the vicinity. Litton Hall, Wesley House, to “refurbish” the Carroll’s Building and add over 10,000 square metres Leeson Park 2. The proposed development by (100,000 square feet) of office reason of its, height, scale and Litton Hall is just south of accommodation to the rear of Christchurch on the corner of location in relation to adjoining the original building was granted Dartmouth Road and residential properties would by the council in January 2018. Upper Leeson Street result in severe overlooking Disappointingly, the council was of Please attend, to meet your and overshadowing that would the view that “it is not considered neighbours and the committee, seriously injure the residential that the massing and scale of the and to discuss local issues amenities of these properties. extension as now proposed will have GUEST SPEAKER a significant adverse impact on the Continued on page 6 James Kelly, Conservation Architect P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge Dublin 4. www.ulsara.ie ULSARA NEWS Spring 2019 1 ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 1 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER Chairman’s message WELCOME TO THE LATEST ISSUE OF OUR NEWSLETTER 2018 was a momentous year for be required for the years ahead as in ULSARA as we celebrated our 50th the past. Anniversary. It was wonderful to Our 2019 AGM will take place on meet so many of you at the launch Wednesday, 3rd April at 7.30 pm in of the publication ‘Cherishing Litton Hall (Leeson Park). We hope Heritage Preserving Communities’ you will be free to join us and take documenting the history of the the opportunity to meet and discuss association over the past fifty years. matters of mutual interest with fellow It was a particular pleasure to members. be joined on that occasion by Your comments and suggestions are Carmencita Hederman and Martin always welcome and can be sent to Reynolds, two of the founders of ULSARA, P.O. Box 8411, Ballsbridge, ULSARA, whose foresight was Carmen Neary Dublin 4. instrumental in protecting and preserving this special part of our Carmen Neary, Chairman city, despite many challenges from powerful individuals who sought Acknowledgements to alter the residential status of the Who we are area. The Upper Leeson Street Area Acknowledgement of DCC Vigilance is always necessary if Residents’ Association was founded Community Grant we are to continue to fulfil the in 1968. The Association draws its commitment of our founders. There members from the catchment area of ULSARA acknowledges with thanks the is never room for complacency streets, lanes and squares, extending support of Dublin City Council (Community as evidenced by the issues of the south from the Grand Canal, that are Grant Scheme) toward the publication of Carroll’s development and the adjacent to Upper Leeson Street. this and previous Newsletters. MetroLink, which are currently being The primary aim of the Association challenged, proving once again is to promote the conservation Newsletter printed, most generously at the truth of the old adage ‘plus ca and preservation of the residential a reduced cost, by Simon Hederman. change, plus c’est la meme chose’. character and amenities of the Hederman As we look forward to the next 50 neighbourhood, including the Graphic Media Solutions years, we continue to rely on the maintenance of green spaces, as support of local residents to maintain well as the distinctive Georgian and 92 Upper Leeson Street, our residential zoning and amenities Victorian architectural features of Dublin 4 and to foster community spirit. The this area of Dublin. 01-667 4747 effort and co-operation of many will www.hederman.ie ULSARA AGM Baggot Street Uppe at Litton Hall, Leeson Park, Pembroke Plac Wednesday April 3rd e r Mespil Road Pembroke Lane at 7:30 pm P embroke rade L Pa e eeson Street Uppe Road Grand h Sussex Road ne Lan Swan river tmout y Elgin Dar re Road oo La Squa on Road rl t Burlington Road g te terloo Road llin Litton Wa Heytesbur Le glan Road r Wa We eson aglan Lane Ra t thbrook Road R oad Hall Wel Nor lington Lane yde R Northbrooke Lane. Pa Cl Herberrk Clyde Lane Pa rk ay Northbrooke Ave. W Wellington Place Pe Appian Leeson mbr Morehampton Road Park Ranelagh A oke venue Gardens Pa R anelagh Road ord Swan river rk e enu Chelmsf Av ord Road enue sf Av elm Ch 2 ULSARA NEWS Spring 2019 ymount Sall ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 2 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER MetroLink discussions continue In May last year Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority launched a non-statutory consultation process on MetroLink, the proposed 26 km high-frequency metro from Swords to Sandyford that is included in the government’s National Development Plan 2018-2027. ULSARA was amongst those who made a submission within the consultation process. The major infrastructure proposal for an underground system in Dublin, Acknowledgement of DCC which understandably has many controversial elements, triggered particular concerns in the Dartmouth Upper Leeson Street Road/Dartmouth Square area, where support of Dublin City Council (Community it is proposed that the rail line would emerge from its tunnel and replace Communicating ULSARA the existing light-rail Luas with a heavy rail line through Ranelagh Newsletter printed, most generously at southbound to Dundrum and beyond. The association argued that MetroLink Newsletter should continue underground This newsletter has long been an important annual record of the association’s serving the most appropriate activities. The committee aims to continue to publish it and to deliver it population centres and that it should throughout the area. complement rather than replace the Luas green line. Twitter @ULSARADublin As this newsletter was going to print, Transport Infrastructure Ireland Follow us on Twitter (@ULSARAdublin) for regular and immediate news and confirmed that the next phase updates. Tweets are also posted on our website at www.ULSARA.ie. of public consultation would be announced imminently. Members are Members’ E-News advised to register on the MetroLink website to ensure they receive up The members who keep the association going through their annual to date information: www.metrolink. subscriptions are very much appreciated. Regular updates are now issued ie. Media reports suggest that via email newsletter and online surveys are used to gather views on current the main cause of delay is issues issues. We avoid inundating members with messages and endeavour to get identified by ULSARA last May – the balance right in terms of email volume. consideration of the optimal route south of Charlemont, the wisdom of Please let us have your email address if we do not already have it – please overlaying the Luas Green Line and send it to [email protected]. If, on the other hand, you would rather not the alternative of tunnelling further to receive email communication from us, please email [email protected] the south and west. with ‘No Email’ in the subject line. Whatever the outcome south of Website www.ulsara.ie Charlemont, it seems that phase 2 proposals still envisage an Please check www.ULSARA.ie for local information and up-to-date news underground frequent rail (metro) link on ULSARA activities. The site includes links to Dublin City Council services north from Charlemont. including Property Flood Protection and Planning Applications, further articles on the local area and an archive of newsletters dating back to the 1980s. ULSARA NEWS Spring 2019 3 ULSARA 2019 Final.indd 3 13/03/2019 11:58 THE UPPER LEESON STREET AREA RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER 50 Years of preservation and community development marked The Upper Leeson Street Area The book launch Residents’ Association was On October 23rd the Chairman and committee of ULSARA welcomed over established in 1968 by a small group 200 guests to the Irish Architectural Archive at 45 Merrion Square for the of residents who came together launch of ‘Cherishing Heritage Preserving Community’.