Dunnes challenges planning approval of Square addition

Dunnes Stores has taken a legal challenge to An Bord Pleanála's decision to give the owners of the Square shopping centre in Tallaght the go-ahead for a €40 million extension of the centre.

Mr Justice Seamus Noonan granted Dunnes Stores leave to seeks orders quashing the board’s decision of September 23rd last.

The application for leave was made on an ex-parte basis (one side only represented) and the matter was adjourned to January 2015. The centre's main owners, Indego, and South Dublin County Council (SDCC), are notice parties to the proceedings.

Eamon Galligan SC, for Dunnes Stores, said the company wants to challenge a number of conditions of the permission and has concerns relating to the impact of the extension on its retail business at the shopping centre.

SDCC had previously granted permission for the project, which was expected to create several hundred jobs, but that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

When completed, the extension would add about 18,600sq m (200,000sq ft) of retail space to the shopping. A multistorey car park over six levels with 832 spaces is also planned.