Permission is being sought to demolish a well-known Dublin pub and replace it with apartments as it is "no longer feasible" to continue operating it.
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.
He is seeking to demolish the building and in its place build 20 apartments over three and four-storeys. Within the building will be three studio, seven one-bed, seven two-bed and three three-bed duplex apartments.
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."
An application for 26 apartments on the site was refused permission by DCC in May, and by An Coimisiun Pleanala in September following an appeal. The original design, which was up to five storeys, was considered overbearing and against the character of the area.
It was met with a number of objections. Concerns were raised by residents and Mount Jerome Cemetery about the size of the development and it overlooking Harold's Cross park. It's proximity to protected structures was also raised as a concern.
Observations on the new application will be accepted by Dublin City Council until December 15. A decision on the proposal is expected shortly afterward.
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