Green light for 12-storey centre in south Dublin

An Bord Pleanála has approved a landmark commercial and apartment development ranging from six to 12 storeys, on either side of the N11 at Stillorgan, in south Co Dublin.

The development is to be sited on the former Blake's restaurant, home to the Bondi Beach nightclub, and undeveloped land across the N11 at the junction of Stillorgan Park and Stillorgan Park Avenue.

Buildings on the two sites are to be linked by a footbridge across the N11.

The controversial development, which was opposed by An Taisce and seven other local organisations, was proposed by Eltissey Ltd, a company controlled by Treasury Holdings one of the State's most successful development companies.

The site is opposite the Stillorgan Bowl where developers Ciarán and Colum Butler have also been given the go-ahead from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for a residential development including a 15-storey tower. Plans for the replacement of the current Stillorgan Shopping Centre with a four-storey structure were rejected by the board in recent years. Included in yesterday's approval was a two-level underground car park; 215 apartments, two restaurants, retail units, a creche and a gym. Vehicle access is to be from the old Stillorgan Road.

The appeals board overruled its own inspector who had recommended refusal based on a number of grounds including visual amenity, obtrusiveness and concerns about the layout of the buildings which includes "single aspect" apartments where all windows face in the same direction.

The board said it had regard to the zoning of the area which was defined as a "district centre"; the fact that it was alongside a Quality Bus Corridor; the mixed use nature of the development and that it would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or local property.

The development is subject to 14 conditions mainly relating to agreement being reached on finishes, a contribution to social and affordable housing and financial contributions for services.

Construction work should only take place between 7.30am and 7pm on weekdays and until 3.00pm on Saturdays.