Proposal to preserve Pigeon House chimneys rejected

Planners in Dublin City Council have rejected a proposal to preserve the Pigeon House chimneys at Poolbeg by adding them to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), on the basis that they are not of sufficient architectural, social or historical value. The 207m (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 had protection from demolition. Last July Labour councillor Dermot Lacey proposed that the chimneys be added to the RPS on the grounds that they are an essential part of the city’s industrial heritage. Mr Lacey’s proposal was approved by his fellow councillors, and went forward for assessment to the council’s conservation offices. The move to preserve the chimneys followed last year’s decision by the ESB to close the Poolbeg power station by 2010. 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.

The Irish Times