Few home owners in Dublin have had as tough a time with the planners as Terry and Anita Coleman, the owners of Sorrento House in Dalkey. The couple, who paid a record £5.9 million for the listed Victorian house back in 1998 have been trying to get planning permission ever since for a garage and staff accommodation to the side of the property.

However, following objections from local residents, this was turned down a number of times. Nevertheless, last summer hoarding went up on a site beside the house and building work began. Now the couple is seeking retention for the work already done - i.e., demolishing an existing garage, and building a new two-storey building with garaging, and a new entrance to the property. It will be interesting to see how the story ends.