The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is seeking approval to raise the height of a proposed landmark tower at East Wall Road to 100 metres, to match the planned U2 tower on the south quays.
This would effectively set aside a 2002 decision by Noel Dempsey, then minister for the environment, to reduce the height of the tower from 100 metres to 60 metres.
John McLaughlin, the DDDA's director of architecture and planning, said the lower building already approved was now seen as "only a neighbourhood landmark", whereas what the site really required was a citywide landmark.
"Our urban design study shows that this is the sensible place to put such a 'marker'. There was a lighthouse on the site when East Wall Road was on the seashore, so a tower here with the U2 tower opposite would form a gateway."
The DDDA is in the process of amending its planning scheme for the Grand Canal Docks to make provision for the U2 tower, which is being redesigned at a height of 100 metres by architects Burdon Craig Dunne Henry and a team of consultants.
Other amendments to the North Lotts Planning Scheme include provision to permit the Point to expand its capacity from 8,000 to 12,000 patrons without compromising the old Midland rail freight depot, which is a protected structure.
The amendments also include a proposal to extend the planned Docklands Luas light rail line beyond the Point, probably via the East Link bridge, to serve the Poolbeg peninsula, for which Dublin City Council has prepared its own master plan.
Alternatively, the extended Docklands Luas line could run south of the Liffey before turning back towards the city centre. This would depend on the Government's final decision on an underground rail link between Spencer Dock and Heuston Station.
The amended planning scheme is also designed to provide a "consolidated block arrangement" in the area, which is to be known as Point Village, with up to seven floors of offices over retail units or eight storeys of apartments, also over shops.
Provision is being made for a "district-scale" shopping centre of 20,000 square metres, to the east of the Point. This would be in compliance with the regional planning guidelines retail strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, Mr McLaughlin said.
Asked why the DDDA had not revisited building heights in the remainder of the North Lotts, which are relatively low compared to the width of the river, he said the amendment was confined to the Point area. "The feeling is, 'If it works, why change it?' "
The deadline for submissions on the amended planning scheme is August 24th.
After considering these submissions and making any changes - which the DDDA has tended to avoid doing in the past - it would be submitted to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
