SOUTH Dublin Construction has been refused planning permission to demolish Dundrum Castle, an office building which was sold last year, and to replace it with an apartment development. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has turned down the planned three-storey building to accommodate 21 one-bedroom apartments and seven two-bedroom units over a basement car-park.

McGarrell Reilly Homes has had better luck at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Co Dublin, where it received planning approval for 136 detached and 14 semi-detached houses.