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Planning news to keep your eye on

Plan for Victorian villa criticised

The construction of houses and apartments on the grounds of Victorian houses is the biggest planning threat facing Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, according to An Taisce, which has criticised plans to turn a listed house into a housing development.

The Irish Georgian Society and the Eaton Brae Residents Association are among a number of groups to voice concern about Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council's decision to grant approval for a development at Eaton Brae House, Shankill, south County Dublin to An Bord Pleanála.

At the end of last year the developers - B Costello, J O'Reilly, B Costello and L Maye - were given the go-ahead to build 14 houses and two apartments on the site of the Victorian villa. They were also given approval to convert the protected structure into a one-bed and three-bed unit. This will also involve the demolition of a 1970s extension to the house.

According to the Irish Georgian Society, the current application marks a "considerable improvement" on previous plans to construct two apartment blocks within the grounds.

However, the society, which is in the process of lodging an observation on the development, said the current scheme will have a "significant detrimental impact on the character and setting of this fine 19th century Victorian house".

Earlier in 2004 the developers were given approval to turn the house into 38 apartments, but this was successfully appealed to to An Bord Pleanála.

The board ruled that the development was "piecemeal".

152 apartments for Malahide Road town centre site

Spectrum Developments Limited has been given the go-ahead for 152 apartments which will form part of the Malahide Road town centre by Dublin City Council.

The residential block will range in height from four to eight storeys and be adjacent to the Hilton Hotel and another apartment block, which are in planning.

The site is located at the end of the Northern Cross at City Junctions Business Park.

The directors of Spectrum Developments are Liam Vincent Walls and Michael Paul Walls and John Cahill.