Dublin City Council refuse planning permission for hotel on site of The Cobblestone

Dublin City Council has refused planning permission for a hotel to be built on the site of The Cobblestone.

The construction of the hotel would have meant the partial demolition of one of Dublin’s most famous traditional Irish music pubs. Marron Estates applied to the council for permission to build a nine-storey hotel on 77–80 King Street in Smithfield, which would effectively swallow The Cobblestone.

Dublin City Council refused permission because the construction would be “overbearing and significantly out of scale and character with the prevailing architectural context.” The council stated that it would represent “substantial over-development of a highly sensitive site.”

They pointed out that the demolition needed for the project would lead to an “unacceptable loss of historic fabric.” The statement remarked that the hotel would be “unduly dominant” and “visually incongruous” in the current streetscape which mainly consists of three and four storey buildings.

Dublin City Council added that the proposed construction was contrary to development plan policies for supporting culture. They said this was because it would result in the loss of the existing Backroom venue. This part of The Cobblestone has been home to singing sessions and dancing enjoyed by musicians of all ages for many years.

The council said this area “has developed as a space for teaching, rehearsal and performance for traditional music to the rear of the Cobblestone public house, and which is considered to make an important contribution to the cultural offering in the area.”

Niall Ring — an independent Dublin North Inner City councillor celebrated the decision:

“The planners have really listened to the public on this one, with over 700 observations almost unanimously slating the proposed development,” said Ring.

“This is a great day for the Cobblestone, for Smithfield and for Dublin. It's also a great day for our rich musical culture, our language and our heritage. Let’s hope An Bord Pleanála takes note if and when the proposal goes there and does the right thing,” he added.

The proposed development of the nine-storey hotel was met with outrage and resistance. Although The Cobblestone would not have been totally levelled — 70 percent of its floor space would have been demolished, meaning it couldn’t function as a business.

Trad and folk musicians greeted the plans to destroy the Cobblestone with defiance. John Francis Flynn and Ispíní  na hÉireann denounced the proposal to replace one of Dublin’s most beloved pubs with a hotel.

A crowd nigh on a thousand strong marched on Dublin City Council in protest on October 9th. 27,000 people signed the petition to preserve The Cobblestone and brave the tide of capitalism obliterating Dublin’s cultural footprint.

The Cobblestone and its vital place in Irish culture is not safe just yet — the decision will most likely be appealed. Although it is a success for campaigners, their work isn’t over yet as public outrage will likely be the only defence Dublin has against vandalism of the city’s culture.

Irish icon and owner of Panti Bliss bar, Rory O’Neill (Panti Bliss), pointed out how the onus is on the public to make a stand.

“Great news. But once again, why is huge public outrage the only way to get things done anymore? It's an exhausting way of doing things,” he wrote.

Great news.
But once again, why is huge public outrage the only way to get things done anymore? It's an exhausting way of doing things. https://t.co/ITQ8jRlMPn

— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) November 29, 2021

The acquiescence of government to the whims of wealthy business execs and the relentless cogs of capitalism means it is up to the public to preserve culture, art and history. Anger is the only way to achieve this.

A number of folk and trad artists along with campaigners reacted to the latest development in The Cobblestone saga. Dublin is Dying celebrated the latest decision. Dublin is Dying led the protest on October 9th which featured a coffin emblazoned with the words "RIP Dublin" being paraded towards council offices.

*BREAKING NEWS*

Planning permission has been REJECTED!!! 🙌

Dublin City Council have made the decision to reject the plans to build a hotel on top of the Cobblestone 🤸‍♂️ #SaveTheCobblestone pic.twitter.com/NTEt9TP5oc

— Dublin Is Dying (@DublinIsDying) November 29, 2021

Socialist party member and former TD Ruth Coppinger congratulated those who opposed the proposal but waned of the objections that will surely soon follow:

"I've absolutely no doubt this refusal [was] influenced by tide of objections. Well done to all who marched & made submissions...good first step but likely to be appealed so let's keep up pressure," she tweeted.

I've absolutely no doubt this refusal influenced by tide of objections. Well done to all who marched & made submissions...good first step but likely to be appealed so let's keep up pressure. #SaveTheCobblestone #savemerchantsarch #dubw pic.twitter.com/4Helj9Se5t

— Ruth Coppinger (@RuthCoppingerSP) November 29, 2021

Eoghan Ó Ceannabháín, a trad musician who frequents The Cobblestone and made a speech at the protest on October 9th echoed Coppinger's statement.

"DCC has refused planning permission for the hotel at the Cobblestone! Not over yet as developer can appeal to An Bord Pleanála," he wrote. "But a great first step and a massive victory for people power. This shows what we can do when we get organised and fight for our city."