Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has given the thumbs up for a €130 million residential development in the grounds of Notre Dame school in Churchtown, Dublin 14.

Developer Michael Cotter of Park Developments has been granted planning permission to build 298 apartments on the seven-acre former sportsground site which it bought last year for €30 million. The sisters of the Notre Dame de Missions originally planned to close the school but, following protests by parents, it will remain open and be run by a trust company controlled by parents.

The site is located to the east of the girl's school and is close to Dundrum village. The development will comprise a mix of apartments, duplexes and triplex houses in eight new buildings which would range in height from three to seven storeys.

This decision was made despite widespread opposition in the area, mainly from residents in the nearby Oaks and Woodlawn estates who are concerned about traffic congestion on the Upper Churchtown Road, the height of the development which they believe will give rise to overlooking and the impact on nearby protected structures, like St Nahi's Church and the early 18th century Woodlawn House.

In its letter of objection, Churchtown Residents Association said the area was "fast becoming a concrete jungle".

Some of the buildings on the site, including Fernbank House, will be retained and refurbished for use as a crèche. A walled garden will be restored. Another building on the site is a three-storey convent containing a chapel refectory, kitchen and sleeping accommodation. All of the buildings will be laid out around a series of courtyards and open space, and will be built over basement car-parks with space for 415 cars.

Park Developments is behind another residential enclave on former religious-owned grounds, Mount St Annes in Milltown.