AN BORD Pleanála's decision on planning permission for the redevelopment of Arnotts department store in Henry Street, Dublin, into a new "northern quarter" shopping, entertainment and residential complex, is likely to be delayed for several months.
A decision on the project had been expected this week.
Arnotts was granted permission for its €750 million plans by Dublin City Council last July, but the scheme was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by eight parties, including An Post, An Taisce and the Rail Procurement Agency.
Under the plans sanctioned by the council, the 5.5-acre site between Henry Street and Middle Abbey Street would include 47 shops, 14 cafés, restaurants and bars, about 175 apartments and a 149-bedroom four-star hotel.
There would also be a new open square between Henry Street and Middle Abbey Street with a new pedestrian route from Henry Street, through the existing GPO Arcade, to Middle Abbey Street.
Prince's Street North, the short street at the side of the GPO which leads to the current Arnotts car park, would also be extended and redeveloped as a shopping street.
The height of the scheme would range from three to 12 storeys, with a 16-storey tower at the corner of Middle Abbey Street and Liffey Street. There would also be 683 parking spaces.
An Bord Pleanála had been due to deliver its decision on the scheme last month, but deferred the matter until last Monday. It said it was not ready to issue a decision but hoped to do so by the end of the week. It is understood that the board has now decided to seek additional information from Arnotts on the project, a move which will delay a final decision by several months.
Arnotts is likely to be given considerable time to produce the additional information, the specifics of which have not been made public. After this information is provided, there is no time limit within which the board must make its final decision on the matter.
An Taisce had appealed on the basis that the plans would involve demolition of part of the 1890s Arnotts facade on Henry Street, which is a protected structure. It also opposes the construction of a 16-storey building, which it said would be completely out of scale with its surroundings.
An Post said it had concerns about the impact on operations at the GPO, and on its status as a protected structure. Access to its services areas on Princes Street would be compromised to the extent that the post office would be prevented from carrying out its business.
The Rail Procurement Agency said the development would generate increased private car traffic in the city centre, in particular along Abbey Street, affecting the quality of the Luas service.
