Yes and no for developers: Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has told developer Niall Mellon he can demolish a two-storey return and lean-to additions to the early 19th century Cedar Mount House, a protected structure on Mount Anville Road, Goatstown, Dublin 14, and build a new three-storey extension to the north-west of the house and a one-storey extension to the south-west of the house.

The local authority decided in favour of the development despite an objection by An Taisce which said that, while it welcomed the work that would be going into the development, it was concerned about the visual impact on the original structure of an extension "of the size and bulk proposed" and suggested a lower profile extension.

Another developer, Michael Whelan, was not so fortunate. He was refused planning permission by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to demolish later additions to a mid 19th century house - Linden Lodge on Castlepark Road in Dalkey - and build 24 apartments in two and three-storey blocks each with a penthouse floor and incorporating part of the existing house.

There were a number of local objections to the scheme, including one from Dalkey Community Council.

The council gave it the thumbs down, saying its massing, scale, height, materials, layout and its relationship to an existing Victorian bungalow on the site would be visually obtrusive and incongruous, and would be out of character with the pattern and form of suburban residential development in this area.

Green light for Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo has got planning permission for a new elephant exhibit which will include two concrete pools, viewing shelters, a water feature, animal barn and a covered viewing amphitheatre. The exhibit will feature concrete works that simulate rock formations and sculpted earth, creating the look of a real habitat with water features, mud banks, themed pathways and artificial trees. The zoo, celebrating its 175th birthday, is one of the biggest city zoos in the world.

The redevelopment is part of a €15 million, 10-year programme to improve the zoo. It's included the revamp of a concrete pit chimp enclosure used into a rocky bird island for the Bald Ibis and the improvement of animal enclosures and visitor facilities.

The 35-acre African Plains area, which opened in 1999, was the biggest single development at the zoo for decades.