The Green Party is urging NAMA to scrap its plans for a shopping centre to be developed on Moore Street in Dublin, after a new survey revealed many buildings earmarked for demolition are of regional architectural importance. The survey is being carried out by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is part of a nationwide plan that has been underway for over a decade. I

The Green Party's city councillor for the North Inner City Ciarán Cuffe said: "This new publication by the OPW confirms what we have been saying for years: almost all the older buildings o Moore Street are worthy of retention and refurbishment. The City Council placed No.s 14-17 Moore Street on the Record of Protected Structures but the OPW now states that No.s 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 42, 43, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62 are also of Regional Importance.. Clearly Dublin City Council's conservation plans do not go far enough to protect the street.

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"In addition the OPW has stated that No.s 33, and 36-43 Henry Street are also of Regional Importance. This is a game-changer for NAMA's plans for the area. They must now reconsider financing developer Joe O'Reilly's flawed plans for a shopping centre on this site which now appear dated and over-scaled. Instead a complete reappraisal of the site is now required. I intend tabling a motion for the next city Council meeting in April as follows:

"That a Local Area Plan be prepared for the city block bounded by Moore Street, Parnell Street, O’Connell Street, and Henry Street, including the 1916 Battlefield site. This Plan shall assess each building in the area for inclusion on the Record of Protected Structures and shall include detailed guidance on appropriate uses and building heights in this historic part of Dublin City, along lines similar to the Temple Bar Framework Plan."

(CD/IT)