Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Data updated 12 Sept 2026 · register lag up to 7 days · sources & freshness
WEB2257/25 is a planning application for permission at Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, received by Dublin City Council on 4 Jun 2025 and first seen by Planning Register on 11 Sept 2026. The application describes: PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of transforming an existing habitat and sloping woodland landscape into an ecologically rich and varied zone that features iconic fauna and flora of Ireland. The former Tapir House is renovated to feature immersive interpretive experiences, including interior viewing out toward the new Irish Hare Habitat. Double doors lead out onto the meandering pathway that takes visitors through landscapes indicative of important Irish plant communities and in and out of various animal enclosures. A new Irish Hare Enclosure welcomes visitors at the upper-most area of the zone, where visitors look across the habitat from a new viewing deck. Further down the slope, Irish grasslands transition to pine woodlands, and visitors walk beneath an overhead crossing for the native Red Squirrel. At the base of the slope, a new Aviary for birds of prey is situated at the lake edge, where a mix of overland and overwater habitat provides a varied habitat for the Raptor Species. The new 2926m2 Habitat works will include renovation of an existing building, flexible & rigid mesh animal enclosures, new visitor decks, pathways & retaining walls, and new plantings. Associated drainage and ancillary works are also included. The proposed development is within the curtilage of a Protected Structure (RPS No.6757, The Thatched Cottage (former entrance). The council granted permission on 9 Feb 2026. The five-week observation window closed on 9 Jul 2025. The site is zoned null under the Dublin City Council development plan. Within 500 m there are 4 other decided applications in the last five years and 2 appeals.
Proposal
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of transforming an existing habitat and sloping woodland landscape into an ecologically rich and varied zone that features iconic fauna and flora of Ireland. The former Tapir House is renovated to feature immersive interpretive experiences, including interior viewing out toward the new Irish Hare Habitat. Double doors lead out onto the meandering pathway that takes visitors through landscapes indicative of important Irish plant communities and in and out of various animal enclosures. A new Irish Hare Enclosure welcomes visitors at the upper-most area of the zone, where visitors look across the habitat from a new viewing deck. Further down the slope, Irish grasslands transition to pine woodlands, and visitors walk beneath an overhead crossing for the native Red Squirrel. At the base of the slope, a new Aviary for birds of prey is situated at the lake edge, where a mix of overland and overwater habitat provides a varied habitat for the Raptor Species. The new 2926m2 Habitat works will include renovation of an existing building, flexible & rigid mesh animal enclosures, new visitor decks, pathways & retaining walls, and new plantings. Associated drainage and ancillary works are also included. The proposed development is within the curtilage of a Protected Structure (RPS No.6757, The Thatched Cottage (former entrance).
- Status
- Decision Notice Issued
- Decision
- Grant permission on 9 Feb 2026
- Final grant
- 19 Mar 2026
- Site (from polygon)
- 2,632 m²
- Location precision
- site (coords_polygon)
Timeline
- 4 Jun 2025New applicationObservation window closed 9 Jul 2025
- 28 Jul 2025Further information requested
- 13 Jan 2026Further information received
- 9 Feb 2026DecisionAppeal window closed 9 Mar 2026
Full planning report for 53.35431, -6.30482
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1 Where this is — preview
1 Deadlines still open
Appeal
Not appealed.
Commencement
No commencement notice matched to this reference.
Zoning at the site
Zone Z9 - DEV PLAN 2022-2028
Z9: Amenity/Open Space Lands/Green Network: To preserve, provide and improve recreational amenity, open space and ecosystem services.
Land zoned to stay open — parks, playing fields, amenity corridors. Built development is very hard to justify, which also means the view is protected.
Designations within 250 m
No OPW flood extent nearby.
- NIAH-recorded building · 10
- Radon risk area · 1
- Recorded monument · 3
Provenance
Register row from the national planning applications feed (NPAD), fetched 11 Sept 2026, 18:51 (store id 87873). Deadlines were computed by the store from the received / decided dates under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and are recorded as events, not recomputed here.
Source: npad · fetched 11 Sept 2026, 18:51
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| npad | CC-BY-4.0 | 11 Sept 2026, 18:51 | open |