News & Campaigns
Here you can keep up with the latest developments in the Ulsara area, from planning decisions to ongoing projects that impact our community.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Tuesday, 10th June 2025, at Litton Hall, Wesley House, Leeson Park. Doors will open at 6:30 pm, with the meeting starting at 7:00 pm.
The AGM is a great opportunity to meet your neighbours and the committee, and to discuss local issues. Please do join us for the meeting with light refreshments afterwards.
Litton Hall is just south of the large church on the corner of Dartmouth Road and Upper Leeson Street.
ULSARA AGM
2025
What is the future of the US Embassy building on Elgin Road?
Site clearance works have now been completed at the planned location of a new US Embassy Building. The former Jury’s Hotel on the corner of Lansdowne and Pembroke Rd is no more. Undoubtedly a new embassy will not be built on the sire for several years as no designs have yet emerged and no planning permission has been sought. However, ULSARA’s main interest is the protection of the current iconic embassy building on Elgin Rd. This landmark 1960’s building may continue to serve as the embassy for another 5 to 10 years, but one day it will need a new purpose.
In January of last year the Irish Times reported that the US State Department had advised Congress that “.. the Elgin Road base, built in the 1960’s by American architect, John M Johanson, was an “architectural icon” and that the bureau of overseas buildings operations and the embassy would “work closely with local partners to ensure that a suitable plan for the site is developed once the embassy is relocated.”
Pleased to note this commitment ULSARA wrote to then ambassador and has met with embassy officials last autumn to underline our concern that the building be maintained and that a new community purpose should be established once the embassy relocates.
ULSARA is surprised to note that the building is not yet on the list of protected structures. We are calling on Dublin City Council to add this important building to the National inventory of Architectural Heritage.
10 May 2025
Planning Application Refused: Appian Way/Leeson Street Junction
May 2023: An Bord Pleanála rejected plans for a 10-storey building with 44 rental apartments (29 studios, 15 one-bed) at Appian Way/Upper Leeson Street.
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Regarding the proposal, An Bord Pleanála has decided to refuse permission. They stated that the proposed building would:
Be too large for the site and would negatively and significantly overshadow neighbouring properties.
Have unsuitable access for services, as well as poor arrangements for dropping off and picking up people.
Not fit in well with the existing look and feel of Appian Way and Upper Leeson Street.
As your residence association, Ulsara, opposed this development, and it seems our concerns helped shape the final decision.
It's important to note that Ulsara is not against all new buildings in our area. We always welcome responsible development and new residents.
You can read the full the board’s decision here.
St. Mary’s Home, Pembroke Park
Ulsara has appealed the decision by An Bord Pleanála to allow development on the grounds that this is an over-scaled and out of character.
Molyneux Home, Leeson Park
The developer invited Ulsara to a consultation presentation on the proposed development of the site. We welcome this overture and believe the proposals are acceptable.New Paragraph
Ulsara's submissions and appeal relating to Waterloo Exchange at Fleming’s Lane were unsuccessful. Permission has been granted - with no requirement to retain the Weeping Willow tree.
We remain concerned about the impact on the character and amenities of the area as well as on parking and drainage.
View the entire planning application on www.dublincity.ie.
Waterloo Exchange
BusConnects
BusConnects sets out proposals for revised bus corridors throughout Dublin. In the Ulsara area, Pembroke Road is particularly affected by proposals. As are nearby communities in Nutley Lane, Merrion Road and Rathgar.
Ulsara, together with other associations in the area, is concerned about the impact the proposals would have on footpaths, trees and residential gardens. It supports calls for more visionary, future-oriented thinking that prioritises pedestrians, cyclists and buses over cars - and that works for communities and commuters.
An extensive consultation process is now complete and we await revisions.
Attendees at a community forum in September were provided with information on current thinking - download the pdf for more.
Click here to visit the BusConnects website.
Dublin Area Revised Bus Network
A frequent and convenient metro service will provide an enhanced public transport resource for very many people in the Dublin area, including those living within Ulsara area.
However, the proposed metro scheme and alignment is flawed and unduly and unnecessarily impacts on residential properties on the west of Dartmouth Square.
A revised proposal has MetroLink terminating at Charlemont.
Interchange with the Luas Green Line, with a station under Grand Parade, tunnel will continue under Ranelagh to create extra rail for turn-back.
See the MetroLink website here for up-to-date information.
MetroLink
Tackling Graffiti in Ulsara
The Ulsara Graffiti Team regularly works to keep our area free of unwanted tags and graffiti. Equipped with brushes and paint, we’re doing our best to proactively address these issues throughout the area.
If you spot any graffiti in your vicinity, please let us know.
