Developers apply to remove market space from Newmarket building

Owners of the Eight Building at Newmarket, The Liberties have appealed to An Bord Pleanala to rescind a condition which forces them to provide an indoor market space within the development.

Newmarket RVAM2 Ltd was granted planning permission for the office block by Dublin City Council in 2017 on the condition that a portion of the ground floor was put aside for a public market.

The building had previously been the home of the Green Door Market which has since relocated to Bluebell.

Construction of the building was completed in 2021 and consists of almost 80,000 sq ft of office space over five floors.

However, after the owners were given the green light by the local authority, they applied for new planning permission, requesting to install a convenience store and café instead of the market space

The council refused the owner’s claim, describing the proposed market as “a fundamental element” of both the scheme and the regeneration of Newmarket.

Under the Dublin City Development Plan, the council says that market spaces have “major economic potential” for tourism and start-up enterprises.

It also said that granting permission for a convenience store would in contrary to sustainable development and the protection of local heritage.

The Liberties Business Area Improvement Initiative said the owners appeal was “disappointing” and welcomed the council’s decision to refuse the request.

Green Party councillor for the area Michael Pidgeon said the ruling was a “victory for common sense.”

“Markets have always been a part of the area’s history, and the council has ensured they will be a part of its future too,” he said.

“We cannot allow more of our city’s heritage be wiped out and replaced with bland shopfronts.”

Newmarket RVAM2 has now escalated its campaign, applying to ABP to quash the council’s condition.

Pidgeon says the owner’s appeal is “immensely frustrating.”

“Dublin City Council was dead right to reject this application in the first place,” he says.

“I hope An Bord Pleanála take an equally sensible approach and reject.”

He says that public markets have long been a staple feature of The Liberties and should be protected.

“The Green Door was really treasured by locals, who were gutted when it moved out,” he says.

“There’s a huge demand in the area for a market, which is why the council are right to insist this space be kept for a decent market.”

Pidgeon says that instead of appealing, “the developers should just get on with it.

“They should honour their planning commitments and get a market up and running.

“The last thing the area needs is more uncertainty and another site left vacant.

“It’s beyond time for them to get their act together and get the market space in use.”