BusConnects plans for Rathgar, Terenure and Rathmines represent a “monumental destruction of national, regional and local heritage” according to an architectural heritage report commissioned by local residents. Protected structures on roads including Rathfarnham Road, Terenure Road East and Rathgar Road stand to lose up to 6m of garden under plans by the National Transport Authority (NTA) for dedicated bus corridors to the city centre, according to the report by barrister and architectural heritage specialist Deirdre Conroy. Historic decorative cast-iron railing, granite plinths and walls, as well as the architectural setting of protected homes, would be “destroyed by bus corridors”, Ms Conroy said. Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála had maintained a strict policy in relation to changes to protected structures and typically refused planning applications when they involved the removal of railings and walls, she said. “However, each core bus corridor will require a comprehensive statutory environmental impact assessment to be completed as part of the planning application to An Bord Pleanála and architectural heritage will be one of the aspects assessed.”

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2019 00:11 UTC