CoolSculpting in St. Stephen, SC

Dublin City Council has stalled plans for the revised €100m part-demolition and rejuvenation of the St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre.

This follows the Council requesting applicants DTDL Ltd to revise its contentious facade redesign proposals as part of a request for further information.

In its letter to DTDL, the Council has stated that it has concerns regarding the revised façade design at the corner junction of St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre and Grafton Street.

The council state that the existing building on site "is a unique local landmark, with an individual identity which sets it apart from other buildings in Dublin".

The Council has told DTDL that "the proposed design is somewhat lacking in strong elements of urban design and placemaking that would contribute positively and integrate into the public realm and streetscape of St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street".

As a result, the Council has stated that DTDL "is invited to strongly reconsider the design of the façade to address these concerns and to incorporate and introduce stronger elements of urban design and placemaking that contributes positively to the public realm".

The Council has requested that updated verified views to be provided should take into account any potential redesigns arising as a result of the overall further information request.

The 25 page Council planner's report recommending the request for further information does state that the Council "welcome and support the principle to rejuvenate the St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre".

The planner's report states that "it is acknowledged that the current St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre is underperforming with a poor configuration and floor plate of retail outlets that limit the occupiers of the premises".

As part of a further information request across six headings, the Council has also requested the applicant to provide a stand-alone Demolition Justification Report in accordance with the Dublin City Development Plan 2022 - 2028 which provides a robust justification for demolition.

The Council state that the requested report will look at the whole life carbon embodied assessment of potential redevelopment options, which include multiple scenarios for the redevelopment of St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre.

The planning authority has also requested the applicants to clarify the intended proposed use of the 'Townhall’ space and to address a number of concerns over the scheme from the Council’s Transportation Division.

The Council has stalled the scheme after the Heritage Council intervened in the planning row recommending refusal.

In total, the council received 61 submissions with the bulk of those opposed to the application.

In December, the owners of the centre, DTDL Ltd, lodged revised plans for the redevelopment of the landmark shopping centre five months after An Coimiúsin Pleanála refused planning permission for its €100m revamp.

The designers of the scheme state that the revised proposal will make an enduring contribution to the city's built environment, setting a new benchmark for brownfield regeneration in the heart of Dublin through its "exemplar standard of urban design".

The newly designed scheme through the BKD Architects/O’Donnell + Tuomey collaboration will have capacity to accommodate 3,000 office workers while the retail floor area at basement, ground and first floor levels will be 19,001 square metres.

In a blow however to the revised rejuvenation scheme two of three parties, An Taisce and author and former Irish Times journalist Frank McDonald, who successfully appealed to An Coimisúin Pleanála Dublin City Council's grant of permission in December 2023 to the original €100m scheme, have outlined their opposition to the new plan in comprehensive submissions.

One objection lodged on behalf of the Save Stephen’s Green Campaign is backed by a petition of 20,000 signatures.

The application will become "live" once more after the applicants respond to the further information request.

Reporting by Gordon Deegan

SAINT STEPHEN, S.C. — American Red Cross volunteers are assisting a family displaced by a house fire in Berkeley County, providing emergency support after flames damaged a home on Carolina Drive in Saint Stephen early Monday morning.

According to the Red Cross of South Carolina, disaster-trained volunteers are helping seven people affected by the fire with financial assistance for immediate needs such as food, clothing and temporary shelter. The organization is also connecting the family with additional recovery resources.

The incident highlights a broader concern for emergency officials during the colder months. The Red Cross says it responds to an average of six home fires every day across South Carolina, with winter bringing a roughly 30 percent increase in residential fires statewide.

“Home fires are a real threat to communities across South Carolina year-round, especially during the winter months,” said Susan Everitt, chief executive officer of the Red Cross of South Carolina. “We at the Red Cross are urging families to take home fire safety steps to keep your family safe this winter.”

Fire safety experts point to space heaters as a leading cause of winter home fires. The National Fire Protection Association advises residents to never leave space heaters unattended, to keep them at least three feet away from anything flammable, and to plug them directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords. Officials also caution against using ovens or stovetops for heating and stress the importance of having heating systems and chimneys inspected annually.

The Red Cross continues to urge residents to prepare for emergencies by creating home fire escape plans, installing working smoke alarms on every level of the home, and practicing fire drills regularly.

Those looking to help families affected by disasters like home fires can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts by donating online at redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.