Controversy as well-known Dublin restaurant clashes with Council planners over illuminated 'Bad Ass' sign

Consultants claimed the existing “Bad Ass” sign on its premises is “playful and in character with the joie de vivre of the streetscape”, which they described as “somewhat chaotic and exudes an atmosphere of exuberance”.

By: irishmirror.ie

Sep 09 2024
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Controversy as well-known Dubl

A well-known restaurant in Dublin’s Temple Bar has clashed with the planning authorities over a range of signs above the premises to promote its business.

The council has refused planning permission to the owners of the Bad Ass Café for the main illuminated “Bad Ass” sign over its entrance on Crown Alley. Benqueues Limited, which operates the popular eaterie in the heart of the city’s tourist district, applied for retention permission for an illuminated “Bad Ass” fascia sign over the restaurant after the company was issued with a planning enforcement notice last December.

Consultants for the Bad Ass Café said they wanted to ensure “the whole matter is fully resolved” by regularising the planning status of the signs for the restaurant, which is a protected structure. They claimed the existing “Bad Ass” sign on its Crown Alley side is “playful and in character with the joie de vivre of the streetscape” which they described as “somewhat chaotic and exudes an atmosphere of exuberance”.

The company said it also wanted to upgrade the facade of the restaurant facing Temple Bar Square as its current appearance was “fragmented and grubby”. It claimed its proposed works on the side of the building, including a new metal screen as well as replacement signage, would provide “a sophisticated and attractive new elevation onto the square”.

However, council planners rejected the planning application for retention permission of the “Bad Ass” sign, branding it as “overly dominant and out of character” with other advertising signage in the area. They claimed other plans to replace the words “Guinness” and “Temple Bar” on a sign with new 3D lettering when combined with other illuminated signage would result in an “excessive and cluttered” appearance and take away from the special character of the protected structure.

Planning files show the restaurant has been issued with a series of enforcement notices over the years relating to unauthorised works on the building. A warning letter about the current signage, which was installed during 2023, was issued to Benqueues last December.

A report by a council official also noted that several other signs on the building were not referenced in the planning application submitted by the restaurant, including two circular “Bad Ass Donkey” signs. The report said such signs represented “unauthorised development”.

Overall, the council said the additions already made, as well as the proposed changes, were “not suitable on a protected structure or within a conservation area”. The local authority claimed “a simple, more high-quality design would be expected” given the listed building’s prominent location. It claimed previous signage that has since been removed was “much more restrained”.

Refusing planning permission for the various signs, the council said they materially contravened policies on shopfront design in the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and would create an undesirable precedent for similar type development if permitted.

Objections from local residents also raised concerns about the planning status of a large speaker fixed to the wall at the entrance to the restaurant as well as an outdoor seating area.

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