Planners drive a hard bargain with discount store

A UK-owned discount store chain got a bad deal this week after Galway City Council refused it permission to retain signage on its Eyre Square premises.

Planners ruled that the ‘Dealz’ signage would have an unacceptable impact on the character of Hibernian House and on Eyre Square.

Poundland Ltd, which trades as ‘Dealz’ in Ireland, had sought permission to retail the illuminated fascia signage boards, a projecting sign and window graphics at Hibernian House on Eyre Street.

A conservation report submitted with the application for the building – a former men’s County Club dating back to 1850 – argued the signage is “sympathetic” to its location.

“We believe that this modest proposal is appropriate and that the proposal is sympathetic to its location and takes due regard of the general conservation area in which it is situated.

“The area where our clients want to place their signage has already been used for this purpose and does not affect the front façade, which is seen as having the most ‘architectural’ interest,” the architect said.

Local environmental watchdog group An Taisce asked that the signage be removed.

“Despite the fact that the application refers to new signage elements that are attached to the modern extension of Hibernian House, it is contended that the signage fails to respect the overall historic curtilage and the protected architectural status of not alone this building, but being situated in a position directly opposite the Bank of Ireland, also a Protected Structure, negatively impacts on this building, and is, thereby, inappropriate in being placed at this location,” Derrick Hambleton of An Taisce said.

In their decision to refuse permission, planners said the building lies within the Eyre Square Architectural Conservation Area, and the signage would contravene City Development plan guidelines.

“The retention of the signs in combination with the additional works which do not have the benefit of planning permission and including the third ‘Dealz’ sign on the southwest façade represent a significant depreciation of the character of the street scene and has an unacceptable impact on the character of this portion of the Eyre Square Architectural Conservation Area,” the decision reads.

Hibernian House is owned by Aviva Trustee Company Ltd and is currently on the market with a price tag of €2.75m.