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The Wide Streets Commission, or more formally, the Commissioners for making Wide & Convenient Ways, Streets & Passages, was established in 1757. It was Dublin’s first planning authority and its work had a profound effect on the city. #TenCenturiesOfTales 
Its powers were extensive & it had the authority to acquire property by compulsory purchase, demolish it, lay down new streets & set lots along the new streets to builders for development. #TenCenturiesOfTales
They determined & regulated the facades of buildings erected along the line of new streets developed by it. The Commission decided on the heights of buildings, the number of houses in a terrace, the materials to be employed & the type & spacing of windows. #TenCenturiesOfTales
Builders had to conform to specifications & the Commission could, & did, order re-building where its instructions had been flouted. It is credited with transforming Dublin from a Medieval to a Georgian city. #TenCenturiesOfTales
