An Taisce has opposed an extension to the Royal St George Yacht Club on Queen's Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin because it would obscure views of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

It has submitted an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against planning permission granted by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the extension and alterations to the protected structure.

In its appeal, An Taisce says the proposed extension at 332sq m (3,574sq ft) would appear "a very large roofscape when viewed from the public viewing area at Queen's Road opposite the existing Carlisle Pier building".

It suggests there should be some gaps inserted in the roofscape "in the interests of respecting existing visual amenities". Another issue is the proposed copper roof finish which it says would be visually dominant.

An Taisce also takes issue with a condition of planning permission imposed by the local authority which requires that railings are placed on a curved stone wall. It contends this would "interfere with a significant element of a protected structure" and there is no guarantee the wall would not be damaged while inserting the railings.

The Kingstown Boat Club, from which the Royal St George Yacht Club evolved, was founded in 1838 by a small group of boating enthusiasts who, according to the club's website, had decided that the River Liffey "was every year becoming fouler and less agreeable for aquatic pursuits".

They applied to the Commissioner for Public Works, and were granted a piece of ground near Dún Laoghaire Harbour to build a clubhouse - the first privately-owned building to stand on publicly-owned space.