The Irish Times

Plans for high-rise development in parts of the centre of Dublin will eliminate the city's historic character, according to an environmental group. The National Conservation and Heritage Group (NCHG) says the spread of high rises will put visitors off coming to Dublin and many of the skyscrapers will be built in inappropriate locations where they will be "blots on the landscape". In a submission opposing Dublin City Council's plans to permit skyscrapers of up to 150 metres in height, the group suggests that buildings over eight storeys in height are unsafe because they would not be accessible by the fire services in the event of a fire, collapse or flooding. The council's plans to create "high density clusters" in parts of the city and allow high rises in selected suburbs has evoked strong opposition among environmental groups since they were published last week. Opponents plan an intensive lobby of city councillors to have the proposals overturned.