The Irish Times

Chimneys

Dublin City Council plans to add the Pigeon House chimneys at Poolbeg to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), in a move which could restrict the area's redevelopment as a new residential quarter. The 680ft candy-striped twin chimney stacks at the ESB's Poolbeg generating station have been one of the city's most recognisable landmarks for more than 30 years, but have never enjoyed protection from demolition. The council's southeast area committee has voted to add the chimneys to the RPS on the grounds that they are an essential part of the city's industrial heritage. The chimneys are now being assessed by the council's conservation office, which will report back to the councillors in September, who will then make a final decision on the proposal. he move follows the decision last month by the ESB to close the Poolbeg power station by 2010. A spokesman for the ESB said no decision had been made on the future of the stacks and it was unlikely that any decision would be taken until the plant closed.