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The Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) is a regeneration area in Dublin, Ireland's docklands and redundant port areas, located east of the city centre on both sides of the River Liffey in North Lotts (in North Wall) and Grand Canal Dock.
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On 18 December 2012, the Government of Ireland designated the two areas a Strategic Development Zone pursuant to its powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the 2000 Act). This was the first step in establishing a new framework to facilitate development in these areas. It replaced the regime overseen by the soon to be dissolved Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA).
SDZ Planning Scheme
On 16 May 2014 An Bord Pleanala approved the making of a planning scheme for the area subject to modifications as set out in its decision. Under the scheme, some 366,000 square metres of office space and 2,600 homes will be developed across 22 hectares of land in the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock.
In the North Lotts area, the new hubs will be at Spencer Dock and the Point Village. South of the river, the replacement for the U2 Tower will anchor another hub, while two more hubs will be clustered around Barrow Street including the Boland's Mill site, and Grand Canal Square.
Two landmark buildings up to 22 storeys (88m) are allowed, but most development will be eight-storeys high. SDZ status means that projects can be fast-tracked through planning, subject to criteria. NAMA plans to invest €2bn in new projects over the coming years, and is a key landholder across the Docklands including sites previously controlled by Treasury Holdings, developer Harry Crosbie and the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.
History
The SDZ Planning Scheme replaces the DDDA North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock Planning Schemes that had been generated under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the 2000 Act), focusing on urban regeneration of Dublin's docklands and redundant port areas. While the Master Plan prepared by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) covered an area of approximately 520 hectares, the centre of gravity of redevelopment focused on the areas in the North Lotts, extending eastwards from the Custom House Docks (phase 1 & 2) including the IFSC and Spencer Dock, and on the Grand Canal Dock area south of the River Liffey.
The collapse of the banking sector in wake of the 2008 financial crisis, combined with a major downturn in the Irish economy, had a profound impact on the development sector and on the regeneration programme within Docklands. Most major property developers are now linked with NAMA - there was paralysis in the construction sector, and investor confidence had dried up. The SDZ Planning Scheme is geared to unlock the current set of difficulties and provide a blueprint for the years ahead. In renewing the vision, the SDZ process has drawn on a wide set of new perspectives, aimed at consolidating the platform achieved but also providing a sustainable underpinning for the future.
Current plans
On 14 October 2014, it was reported that U2 would buy 16 Hanover Quay from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority for €450,000. The authority had forced the band to sell its old riverfront studio on Hanover Quay for an undisclosed price in 2002 to allow development of the Grand Canal Harbour area. As part of that deal the authority had promised the band the top two floors of the 32-storey tower it was planning to build on an adjacent quay, a project that was subsequently put on hold. In light of its imminent dissolution and the recent approval by An Bord Plenala for the North Lotts and Grand Canal Planning scheme, the authority decided it would not be proceeding with a proposed compulsory purchase order of 16 and 18 Hanover Quay.
In December 2014 a planning application was submitted for a major commercial and residential development in Dublin’s south docklands that is being planned by US investment group Oaktree Capital Management, Irish construction company Bennett and the National Asset Management Agency. The development will comprise 42,500 square metres of offices and apartments at 5 Hanover Quay and 76 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay. The construction costs are estimated at €140 million with the project set to accommodate up to 2,400 workers and 158 apartments when fully developed. About 250 workers will be employed during the construction phase of the project, which is expected to have a value of €450 million on completion.
A number of site plan notices have been posted in the area including the following: