Proposed Draft Variation (No. 37)
of the
Dublin City Development Plan
2005-2011
The Statutory Display of this proposed Draft Variation (No. 37)
to the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011
will be on view to the public from
11th June to 8th July 2009 inclusive
Monday to Friday
between the hours of 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. at the
Dublin City Council
Civic Offices,
Ground Floor, Block 4,
Wood Quay,
Dublin 8.
________________________________________
PROPOSED DRAFT VARIATION (NO 37) OF THE DUBLIN CITY
DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2005 – 2011
RE:
Proposed Variation of Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011
Designating Chapelizod as an Architectural Conservation Area
Proposal:
It is proposed to vary the Dublin City Council Development Plan 2005-2011 by
designating Chapelizod as an Architectural Conservation Area.
Chapelizod is located due west of Dublin City Centre on the River Liffey,
approximately 6 km from the city centre. The river follows a serpentine route
between the sloping hills, which rise steeply in the vicinity of the village with mature
trees along its banks and woods in the higher ground of the Phoenix Park. It is an
area of considerable scenic beauty.
The Chapelizod ACA area is bounded to the north-north east by the Phoenix Park, to
the south by the Chapelizod Road and to the west by the banks of the River Liffey. It
includes terraces of buildings along St. Laurence’s Road and Lucan Road, and
structures fronting Martins Row, Park Lawn, Main Street, Maiden Row, New Row and
part of Mullingar Terrace.
The exact boundaries are delineated on the map accompanying the public display
and in the text of the Architectural Conservation Area Plan.
WHY DESIGNATE AS AN ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AREA?
The proposed draft variation arises from Objective H7 of the Dublin City
Development Plan 2005-2011 (Chapter 10 Heritage), which states that it is an
objective of Dublin City Council to identify and designate at least eight new
architectural conservation areas during the lifetime of the plan. Chapelizod has been
identified as suitable for such designation.
What is the purpose of the ACA designation?
The purpose of an ACA is to protect and enhance the special character of the ACA
by:

Ensuring that all new development is carried out in a manner sympathetic to
the special character of the area,

Encouraging the reinstatement and enhancement of existing structures in a
manner sympathetic to the special character of the area.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE AREA
The origins of Chapelizod as an urban settlement can be traced back to early
medieval times. Indeed its strategic location as a fording point over the River Liffey
would have made the area the focus for settlement since the prehistoric period.
However the present-day built environment of Chapelizod has its origin in the late
seventeenth century and the activities of the Duke of Ormond. The Duke was
appointed Viceroy of Ireland in 1662. Soon after his return to Dublin, he set about
planning for the creation of what became the Phoenix Park. At the same time, the
Duke was presented with an estimate for ‘making one new bridge at Chappell Izard’.
As a result of Ormond’s recommendation, the bleaching yard for Leinster was
established at Chapelizod and the contract for the supply of linen to the army was
given to a factory there. In 1681, a new wall was built on the northern edge of the
road leading from Chapelizod to Dublin, thereby delineating the southern boundary of
the Phoenix Park.
The village developed on the north bank of the river beside an ancient ford, which
crossed between two ancient routes west out of the city. Its buildings are two, three
and even four storeys in height and they generally retain their narrow plot widths.
They are clustered around the ancient church with a narrow laneway leading to it and
the through road which is wider to form a wedged shaped village ‘square’ with its
houses, pub and a couple of shops surrounding it. The village character is formed by
its ancient pattern and varied building types mostly dating from the eighteenth and
nineteenth century. Two buildings of note that form landmarks are the Church of
Ireland with its ancient tower and the Catholic Church in its prominent position at the
eastern entrance to the village. The north side of the square has retained more of its
historic buildings with the south side, which contained the distillery and mills, redeveloped for modern apartments.
The village square, which may have been the original market square, is a distinctive
feature with its surrounding buildings all of which originally opened directly off the
footpath. The pattern created by the square, the narrow plot widths and their
relationship to the ancient church and the narrow laneways leading to it is also
distinctive. The narrow streets of Maiden’s Row, New Row and their terraces of two
storey houses are also important features. The buildings, the majority of which date
from the eighteenth and nineteenth century, which form an eclectic mix are also a
distinctive feature of Chapelizod.
There are fine views of Chapelizod and its setting from the higher ground of the
Phoenix Park to the north and the motorway by-pass to the south. There is also a
fine view of the Liffey Valley from the approach road north of the Liffey from the east.
Within the village the Catholic Church dramatically closes the vista as one looks
across the square from the west. The view from the village to the west, in the
direction of the Strawberry Beds, is of a narrow rural road winding through the
wooded valley following the undulating line of the river creating a scene that appears
to be unchanged by time and, consequently it is of great beauty.
Chapelizod can be divided into three distinct architectural precincts each centred on
a number of historic streets:
 Martin’s Row/Main Street
 Maiden’s Row/New Row
 Saint Laurence’s Road/Chapelizod Hill/Lucan Road
Management of development in the ACA
Development that affects the setting of the ACA will only be permitted where it will
preserve or enhance its character or appearance. Dublin City Council will have
regard to the effect of the height, scale and orientation of a proposed development
including its layout, design and detail.
Any proposed development will be assessed in terms of its impact on the immediate
surroundings of the site, the broader townscape or its landscape setting. In
particular, it is considered important to retain the traditional plot boundaries, historic
street furniture, surfaces and boundary treatments of the village.
Owners and occupiers need planning permission for all works, which would
materially affect the character of a protected structure, or any element of a protected
structure, which contributes to its special character. In terms of non protected
structures, any works (which may normally be considered exempt) to the exterior of a
structure located within the ACA and that would materially affect the character of the
area concerned will no longer be exempted development, unless otherwise
specifically stated.
It is the policy of Dublin City Council to encourage the reinstatement of features
where the original and historic features have been lost or replaced. To this end
reinstatement works shall not require planning permission, however, agreement with
the Conservation Section of the Planning and Development Department should be
sought before any works are undertaken.
Domestic rear extensions, which are within the limits set out in the Planning and
Development Regulations 2001, and which are not visible from the public domain
within the ACA would not affect materially the character of the Architectural
Conservation Area and consequently would be considered to be exempt
development. This does not apply to structures on the Record of Protected
Structures.
In terms of alterations and other development, all development that is visible in the
public domain is not considered exempted development. These include the addition
of porches and changes to the height and design of boundary treatments.
All external fixtures to buildings such as wiring, satellite dishes, solar panels and
alarm boxes should be located so as to minimize their visual impact.
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL
The Planning Authority, determined, using the criteria set out in Schedule 2A
Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2004, the DEHLG SEA Guidelines and
Annex 2 of Directive 2001/42/EC, that a Strategic Environmental Assessment was
not required for the proposed Draft Variation to the Dublin City Development Plan
2005-2011 for the area set out above and the prescribed bodies have not objected to
this determination within the appropriate period.
More Information
The law governing ACAs is set out in the Planning and Development Acts 2000 and
2006 and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 and 2006. Guidelines for
Planning Authorities on Architectural Heritage Protection were issued by the
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2004. All these
documents are available form the Government Sales Office, Sun Alliance House,
Molesworth St, Dublin 2. For Further information on ACA and Heritage Protection in
Dublin City contact the Conservation Section, Planning and Economic Development
Department, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 (Tel: 01 2223923)
Written Submission or Observation
Written submissions or observations with regard to the proposed Draft Variation
made to the Planning Department within the said period will be taken into
consideration before making the Variation.
Objections and/or representations to this Proposed Draft Variation of the
DUBLIN CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2005-2011
can be made in writing, to reach:
Tom Vaughan,
Planning Department,
Dublin City Council,
Block 4, Floor 3,
Civic Offices, Wood Quay,
Dublin 8.
Or can be E-Mailed to:
planning@dublincity.ie
BEFORE 4.30 P.M. ON Wednesday, 8th July 2009
Objections / representations can also be posted in the box provided
immediately next to the public display.