Ballsbridge refusal leaves 'hole' in plan, hearing told

Dublin City Council’s decision not to grant developer Sean Dunne permission for the 37-storey tower at the centre of his high-rise plans for Ballsbridge has left a “large hole” in the centre of the development, objectors to the scheme have said.

The council had to refuse permission for the tower because it contravened the city development plan and this element should not be reinstated by An Bord Pleanála, as sought by Mr Dunne, town planner Ann Mulcrone told the Bord Pleanála hearing today.

Ms Mulcrone, who represents a number of residents opposing the development, said the removal of the tower left “a large hole in the footprint” and “created a gap in the streetscape” that made the scheme unviable.

If An Bord Pleanála did grant the development, it would be an “apocalyptic prospect” or would set an extraordinary precedent for development in the area and create an “island” in the city.

Such high-density development in the area would not alone damage Ballsbridge but would have “adverse urban economic effects” on areas that needed renewal, such as the docklands, by shifting investment to Ballsbridge.