Taxis dropping off at Arnotts' €750m Northern Quarter scheme could impede the safe running of the Luas, rail chiefs have warned.

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) said revised plans for the project had failed to address the issue of taxi drivers crossing on to the Luas Red Line.

"We maintain that this manoeuvre will be made on such a frequent basis that the safe running of the tram system will be compromised unnecessarily," the RPA's Michael Sheedy said.

Blueprint

Arnotts got the go-ahead last year for their massive redevelopment, which will be located in an area bounded by Henry Street, O'Connell Street, Abbey Street and Liffey Street.

However, An Bord Pleanala ruled the project could only proceed if a planned 16-storey tower in the original design was ditched.

In total, the board tagged on 26 separate conditions to its grant of permission, including the preservation of several protected buildings in the area.

Arnotts Properties Ltd then submitted its revised plans and the RPA commented on the new blueprints.

The agency's main bone of contention is the "tortuous nature of the taxi drop-off" proposed for the hotel element of the project.

"We continue to believe that taxi drivers are unlikely to use the designated drop-off on a habitual basis, preferring to stop on the westbound vehicle lane opposite the hotel's main entrance," Mr Sheedy said.

This will result in "overtaking manoeuvres" by other drivers which will necessarily involve driving on to westbound tracks of the Luas Red Line.

Among the major changes being applied for is a redesign of the so-called Block A, from a seven-storey building over three basement levels to an eight-storey building over three basement levels.

This would increase the over-ground height of the tower from 18m to 31.5m.

Arnotts is proposing to increase the overall ground floor area of the scheme from 125,864sqm to 128,726sqm.

In a request for additional information, city planners asked the applicant to submit a further architectural justification and revised drawings for the "proposed retention of the Chapters Bookstore facade in Block A1 facing onto Abbey Street".

Simplicity

"The applicant is advised to note that the planning authority has concerns regarding how the retention of this facade sits within the context of proposed scale and welcomed simplicity of the grid framed retail store," they said.

Commenting on the revised plans, Kevin Duff of An Taisce pointed out the proposed modifications include the location of a primary building fronting onto Middle Abbey Street, at the corner of Upper Liffey Street.

Dublin City Council is due to make a decision by December 17.

comurphy@herald.ie

- Cormac Murphy