Mansfield fails to get Citywest land rezoned

Efforts by developer Jim Mansfield to have land rezoned and redesignated were rejected last night by South Dublin County Council. The council voted by 17 to five against motions seeking to rezone 5.5 acres on Citywest golf course for housing, the redesignation of a hotel as housing and the reclassification of an unused €30 million retail project.

Mr Mansfield's company, HSS, owns the properties in Saggart. He had written to councillors seeking their support. Fianna Fáil member, Jim Daly, tabled the motion. Mr Mansfield is one of three developers committed to paying €13 million each to fund the extension of the Luas line from Tallaght to Saggart.

Last June, the council voted to rezone 70 acres belonging to another backer of the plan, Harcourt Developments, owned by Pat Doherty and broadcaster Mike Murphy. Harcourt's €13 million contribution depended on it securing the rezoning, which has upped the value of its land to an estimated €400 million. It paid €23 million for the site.

The plan's third backer, Citywest business park developer, Davy Hickey Properties, had land on the route rezoned in 2004. It plans to build 400 houses there.

Supporting the motion, Cllr John Lahart (FF), said the Harcourt rezoning was outside the terms of the county development plan, and would "seriously enrich" the company.

Mr Mansfield's contribution was not conditional, but he sought equal treatment with the other developers. He still intends putting up the €13 million.

But he accused council management of a U-turn. Last May, it recommended rezoning of the golf course site for low-density housing. However, yesterday, planning official Tom Doherty claimed rezoning could result in 100 units being built on the site, which would be inconsistent with its green belt status.

HSS wants the former Quality Hotel, 2km (1.24 miles) from its Citywest Hotel, redesignated as it is not a viable business. Mr Mansfield sold it to Quality, but bought it back and wants to redevelop it as apartments. Cllr Caitríona Jones (Labour), said the fact the hotel was not viable should not be the local authority's concern.

HSS wants the status of its golf retail village changed so he can attract major brands. It spent €30 million building it and hoped to attract designer businesses. But only 12 per cent of it can be used for shops, which has made it unattractive to potential tenants or buyers. Mr Doherty claimed that reclassifying it could result in the council being sued by "another developer" who is building a shopping area nearby on a site earmarked by planners for retailing.

He warned that if the council lost money, members who supported the motion may have to compensate the authority. Cllr Daly rejected this statement as "a scare tactic".