Planning hearing on cinema site adjourned

A planning hearing into the future of the Carlton Cinema site in O'Connell Street, Dublin, described yesterday as highly unique…

A planning hearing into the future of the Carlton Cinema site in O'Connell Street, Dublin, described yesterday as highly unique and special, has been adjourned until June.

Representatives of the Carlton Group, which was granted planning permission in 1999 by An Bord Pleanála for a €170 Millennium Mall, are objecting to a compulsory purchase order (CPO) by Dublin City Council on the cinema and other properties.

The oral hearing at An Bord Pleanála opened yesterday but was adjourned after requests from objectors for further documentation from Dublin City Council.

Mr John Trainor SC, for Dublin City Council, said that in the last number of days requests had been sent to the council of behalf of Mr Paul Clinton and Mr Richard Quirke of the Carlton Group.

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They were looking for particular information relevant to the making of the CPO and the order on which it was based.

There were also requests for documents which in the ordinary way would not be put before the hearing by the council, he said. However, as it was such an important site and in the interests of the party's concerned, the council had agreed to provide the documents.

Mr John Gordon SC, for Mr Quirke, said it was an extremely complex matter. They needed further documents in order to respond properly. They would need some time to consider these and asked for an adjournment. Other objectors agreed.

Mr Trainor said: "In the interests of justice and so that nobody feels short-changed at this highly unique and special hearing, we will do what we can to circulate the documents."

The planning inspector, Mr Michael Ward said he would adjourn the hearing to June 5th.