DEVELOPER MARK Piggott is looking to demolish the fire damaged Redcourt House in Clontarf, Dublin 3 to make way for apartments, despite a previous planning permission to convert it into apartments.

The Victorian property hit the headlines last year when the burned remains of a man were found after a fire.

In January this year An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission to convert the 19th century house on Seafield Road East into four apartments as part of a new homes development.

A five-storey apartment block with 33 apartments and nine townhouses were also part of his proposal.

However, he is now looking to knock what is referred to in the planning application as a "fire gutted and derelict" house and build a new house containing five apartments. He is also proposing another five-storey building which would contain 54 apartments and basement parking for 89 cars. The property was the home of the Hardy family for several generations and was sold to developer Mark Piggott in 2004 for €7.5 million, €3.3 million over the guide price.

Redcourt House hit the headlines in August when a 38-year-old man (believed to have been in the house before the fire broke out) presented himself at Raheny Garda station as the fire was still raging.

The fire was brought under control by five units of the fire brigade and the remains of a man were found.

The house on 1.65 acres has been at the centre of a protracted planning dispute in recent years.

An original proposal to demolish the house and build 54 apartments was rejected by both Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanála.

Although the developer succeeded in stopping the house being listed as a protected structure, An Bord Pleanála said it was an "intrinsic element" of the site.