According to Iarnród Éireann, the new rail station is necessary to accommodate increased passenger numbers, with the company saying it needed to find a development partner to build the 13,000 square-metre office development to help fund the development. However, An Bord Pleanála has told the company that the overall height and scale of the office building would be ‘visually obtrusive’ in the streetscapes and riverscape and adversely affect the setting of the Custom House. In its letter sent last week, the board said the building would “adversely affect the setting of the Custom House, a protected structure of primary national importance, and by itself and by precedent, unduly detract from the visual character and amenities of the city centre”. The board requested revised alterations of the development. Chief among these is the reduction of the main building by 11.7m to 49.1m. The board has requested that other buildings in the scheme also be reduced by 11.7m, from 11 storeys to eight storeys. Its planners also criticised the ground floor plan of the proposed development, which it said “unduly restricts accessibility and circulation between the station concourse and the public realm”. It has directed that it also be redesigned. Iarnród Éireann has until November 27th to submit new designs to the board. An Bord Pleanála said it intends to make its final decision on the project by February 1st next year. When announcing the plans, the company said that, subject to planning permission being granted, and a development partner being sourced, construction was planned to begin in 2010, for completion in 2012.