An Bord Pleanála has approved plans for the demolition of Dundrum Shopping Centre in south Dublin, and its replacement by a mixed-use scheme extending the village's main street.
The development, which includes three anchor stores and 76 retail units, as well as offices, a 105-bedroom hotel and a new public library, had already been approved by DúLaoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Dismissing appeals by local residents, An Bord Pleanála said it was satisfied the development on this zoned town centre site would result in an improved urban environment and would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.
It also noted that the 6.5-acre site was located next to a major public transport corridor - the Sandyford Luas line - and that provision was being made for a new pedestrian bridge over the Dundrum bypass just west of the site.
All 1,550 car-parking spaces for the new shopping centre are to be provided underground, so that proper street frontages can be built up - ranging from three storeys on Dundrum Main Street to five storeys on the bypass.
Though another major shopping centre is nearing completion on the former Pye Ireland site at the southern end of Dundrum, Lenridge Properties Ltd is proposing to provide 30,264 sq metres (325,760 sq ft) of retailing.
One of the 26 conditions laid down by the appeals board requires the library to be relocated fronting a new civic space, to be known as Church Square. The library must be operational prior to any of the retail units.
The developer's architects, Burke-Kennedy Doyle and Partners, are required to submit revised plans for the glazing of the main plaza, providing for "effective views" through the shopping centre from Dundrum Main Street.
The board has also required that the plans be changed to increase the number of apartments in the scheme from six to 13 "in the interest of providing a balanced land-use mix". Most existing trees on the site are to be retained.
Within eight weeks, the developer must enter into an agreement with the county council on the provision of social and affordable housing, to comply with the requirements of of the 2000 Planning Act.