A PROPERTY development company has lost a High Court attempt to overturn An Bord Pleanála’s refusal of permission for a large development, including a cinema and 259 apartments, at Sandyford, Co Dublin.

Wexele, an unlimited liability company, had proposed to build the development on a site of some 0.67 hectares at Blackthorn Avenue, Sandyford Industrial Estate.

The development included 15 “live-work” apartment units, a gym, a creche, club cinema for the use of residents, 338 car spaces and a commercial floor space.

The Stillorgan Heath and Lakelands Residents Associations, and several individuals, were notice parties to the proceedings.

In a reserved judgment yesterday, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill found the reasons given by the board for refusing permission were more than sufficient to discharge its statutory duty under the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council had in July 2005 decided to grant the proposed scheme planning permission, subject to conditions.

The company appealed against some of those conditions, while 12 other appeals were lodged against the initial decision to grant permission.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) had also expressed concerns about whether the M50/N31/N11 route had capacity for such a development.

In April 2008, the board refused planning permission, saying the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It also said the development was premature, given existing deficiencies in the road network service in the area and public transport facilities.