Further information has been requested from the Dublin building firm which is seeking permission to build 32 luxury houses, 14 holiday homes, a hotel and golf facilities on the estate of former taoiseach Charles Haughey at Kinsealy in north Dublin.

Planners at Fingal County Council are looking for further information on the development before making a decision and have asked developers, Manor Park Housebuilders, to significantly alter plans for 32 luxury private residences at a proposed integrated leisure and tourism facility on the estate.

The proposed "mansion-type size" houses, which range in size from 635sq m (6,835sq ft) to 759sq m (8,320sq ft) on plots between 0.85 acres up to an acre, would be expected to cost in the region of €3 million if they get built.

The proposed four and six-bedroom houses are all two-storey flat roofed buildings, which incorporate a mix of stone, glazing and timber cladding.

Council planners have raised concerns about the "excessive" level of residential development on the site, which is zoned to provide a green belt, urban and rural amenities and agriculture. The residential development is also in conflict with plans for a recreational and leisure facility, according to the planners.

"By proposing 46 units on the site, the applicant has taken one element of the policy as a carte blanche to provide the maximum density possible on the site. This is not acceptable for a number of reasons. In principle, this in contrary to the zoning objective and to the retention of the overall area as a green belt/buffer zone," according to the planner's report compiled last month.

The proposed scale of the housing development would have a negative impact on the sensitive landscape, the report stated. The ratio of private housing to tourist accommodation compromises the developers' ability to provide a tourism and leisure facility, the planners added.

The council has requested that at least 12 of the 32 private residences be omitted from the proposed development and that the number of tourist units be increased.

Mr Haughey sold Abbeville and 20 acres, while his children sold the rest of the 235-acre estate to builder Manor Park Homes in August 2003 for a reported €45 million.

Mr Haughey and his wife currently live on the estate under a deal with the developers.