Development next to tower may be blocked

South Dublin County Council is to vote tonight on a motion blocking the development of apartments next to one of Ireland's oldest intact round towers, in Clondalkin.

The motion, if approved, could leave the local authority open to a legal challenge by the developers who gained approval in principal for the development under a land-swap deal with the county council four years ago.

South Dublin mayor Cllr Robert Dowds (Labour), who is proposing the motion with the support of all members of the Clondalkin ward, said rescinding the council's support for the development would probably lead to a compensation demand.

"I do think management will try to frighten councillors not to vote for it," he said. "But the matter is too important. People regard it as a battle for the heart and soul of Clondalkin."

Cllr Dowds seconded the original motion in March 2000, approving "an integrated cultural and heritage/residential/commercial development of the lands at the round tower" as part of the land-swap deal with Mr Rory Burgess and another businessman.

Mr Burgess has since applied for planning permission for a three-storey apartment complex over an interpretive centre on lands to the west of the 18th century monument, as well as a mews building and a two-storey restaurant/bar nearby.

Cllr Dowds said he had not known an apartment development was part of the 2000 proposal, and "within half an hour" of discovering so he had tried to get the council's decision changed. "I tried on several occasions to overturn the decision but each time was voted down."

With a changed electoral make-up on the council, he said he was confident tonight's motion would be passed, initiating the removal of the residential zoning. A motion calling on the Government to purchase the lands for the State has also been tabled.

The Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, had visited the site and was "awaiting a file on the matter", according to a Department spokesman. Mr Cullen "recognises the importance of the tower both to Clondalkin and nationally", the spokesman added.

Residents fear the development will endanger the foundations of the tower, which they hope could be transformed into a tourist attraction.