AIB appeals Dunne's Bankcentre plan

DEVELOPER Seán Dunne's woes in Ballsbridge continue. Dublin City Council's decision to allow him to redevelop his portion of the AIB Bankcentregrounds in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 into a six-building office complex with shops, restaurants and a café has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála by nine parties, including local residents, AIB and An Taisce Dunne bought the site in 2006 from AIB after the centre was sold in three parcels.

AIB argues that the development will encroach on the plaza in front of the bank and says that when the site was sold, the deed of transfer stated that the plaza was to be kept free from development, because it would disturb the visual link between the acclaimed 1970s-built bank building and Merrion Road, making it less accessible to the public and throwing the plaza into darkness.

An Taisce got its tuppenceworth in to say the development would have a negative impact on the setting of the RDS and number 32 Merrion Road, both protected structures, and called it “grossly overscaled” with a preponderance of office space.

Ballsbridge residents are not happy with the design and height of the development, located at the junction of Merrion Road and Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge. Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association and Upper Leeson Street Area Residents Association say it would have a negative effect on homes on Serpentine Avenue, as well as on the RDS and Ballsbridge.