The owner of the pub has said that it is “no longer feasible” to keep the business in operation
The proposed development for the site of McGowan’s pub in Harold’s Cross
A Dublin pub owner that plans to turn the venue into apartments has received permission for the plans on appeal.
McGowan’s pub in Harold’s Cross will be demolished to make way for an apartment development. The initial proposal was for 20 apartments but this has been reduced to 16 following the grant of permission.
But the development has not been welcomed by locals, who have concerns about its impact on the local area. Harold’s Cross is on the list to become an architectural conservation area in the near future.
Issues raised included the scale of the development, including the height and mass, as well as the visual effect it will have on the area. Its impact on Harold’s Cross Park, as well as parking in the local area, were also raised as concerns.
McGowan’s is located at the junction of Harold’s Cross Road, Kimmage Road Lower and Shamrock Villas and within walking distance of Mount Jerome Church and Graveyard. But its owner, Bernard McGowan, said that it is proving impossible to keep the pub running under current conditions.
In a letter to Dublin City Council, Mr McGowan said: “It’s with great regret that I am applying for planning permission, for apartments on the site of my pub. I have tried to keep the business going but [with] the ongoing costs which have gone through the roof, and business slowing down all over the pub trade in our area in general, I think this is the best decision that I can make.”
The initial application to Dublin City Council was refused permission with concerns surrounding the impact of the development of the local area. Its overlooking of nearby developments was also given as a reason.
But an appeal submitted to An Coimisiun Pleanala was granted planning permission on June 16. Although the commission granted permission, it was advised by the inspector to uphold the DCC decision to refuse permission.
The final decision said: “The Commission considered that the proposed development, with the amendments made in the documentation submitted with the appeal, which has reduced the number of units to 16 and proposes to retain building number 178-180 as well as the façade of number 176 and number 174 (McGowans), would be consistent with the Z4 zoning of the site to provide for and improve mixed services facilities where residential is a permissible use and within an area identified as an Urban Village in the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028, would be consistent with Policу BHA6- Buildings on Historic Maps and would not seriously injure residential or visual amenities or negatively impact cultural heritage.”
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