An Bord Pleanála yesterday gave the go-ahead for the development of a hotel complex and tourism facilities on the estate of the late taoiseach Charles Haughey at Kinsealy, Co Dublin.
The board gave approval to Manor Park Homes for a 70-bedroom hotel, a spa leisure centre, an 18-hole golf course and "tourist residential units" and houses on the 200-acre Abbeville estate.
However, it laid down 35 conditions to the development, including provision to protect Abbeville house and demesne in which Mr Haughey's widow, Maureen Haughey, still lives.
The board said Abbeville shall remain "an integral element" of the demesne, and that the house shall not be separated from the demesne with boundaries. It also laid down conditions to protect the natural environment.
While there was no official comment from the Haughey family or from Manor Park Homes, it is understood that Mrs Haughey has made no decision about leaving Kinsealy, and has no immediate plans to do so.
The board ruled that some of the proposed 14 "residential tourist units" be relocated, and that the number of houses that can be built reduced.
Fingal County Council's initial decision to give planning permission to the plan was appealed by An Taisce, which said the scheme was "ill-conceived" because it would compromise an architectural conservation area and failed to make any provision for the future use of, and public access to, Abbeville house.
An Taisce had argued there was "huge public interest" in the treatment of Abbeville because of its recent political history and the circumstances of its acquisition by Haughey and its sale in 2003.
It had argued that the first preference in any development affecting a country house with a walled garden was to protect that garden as a planted area.
It said the environmental impact study was inadequate in considering the significance of the walled garden.
In a statement last night, An Taisce said it "noted with interest" the board's decision not to accept its inspector's recommendation to refuse permission on traffic grounds.
It said it also noted that significant conditions to protect the natural environment have been included in the ruling, and conditions to protect the architectural significance of Abbeville house and demesne.
It welcomed the decision that the Trim trail and pedestrian pathway should open to the public, but added it was disappointed that the significant issue of project splitting has not been addressed.
In its decision yesterday, the board said the proposed development would "not seriously injure" the architectural, residential and environmental amenities of the area. It said the development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, and would be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
It said it had not accepted the inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, arguing that revised drawings and documentation submitted in August overcame the inspector's concerns over access to the Malahide Road.
Haughey, who died last June, sold his estate in 2003 to Manor Park Homes for a reported €45 million. Last February planning officials approved plans by his daughter, Eimear Mulhern, to build a house in the grounds.