Planning permission has been granted for a major extension to the Frascati Shopping Centre in Blackrock, with work expected to start later this year. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council issued the decision recently.

The development, estimated previously to cost some €30 million, will involve a significant expansion of the retail floor space and changed parking arrangements.

The existing centre has a floor area of 10,239sq m, (110,200sq ft), which is to be expanded to just over 16,000sq m, with a part-demolition and extension of the centre. There will be space to park 556 cars.

Ownership changed hands last year when Invesco, an US investment management company, agreed to pay about €68 million for the centre.

The centre is fully occupied and trades well.