Dublin City Council has rejected property developer Bryan Cullen's plans for a luxury residential development in Sandymount.

Cullen's proposal to develop 57 residential units on a 0.5-hectare site at Gilford Road in Sandymount has been refused by the council because the development would affect existing property in the area and due to the scheme's "substandard" provision of public amenity space.

This will be a disappointment to the developer, whose plans for a second development in Sandymount, at the former Enable Ireland site, are currently before An Bord Pleanála.

Cullen purchased the well-located Gilford Road site, close to Sandymount village and Ballsbridge, from the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Africa in July of 2005 for over €16 million.

His plans to build 50 apartments in three blocks and seven townhouses on the site did not impress the council planners, who turned down the scheme on five grounds.

The council ruled that the scheme would be "seriously injurious" to existing property because of overshadowing and overlooking. The density and traffic generation potential of the scheme would also negatively impact on the amenities and safety of properties on Sandymount Castle Park, it added.

The council was also critical of the amount of proposed amenity space at the scheme, adding that the amenity space that was provided was "substandard" in design and location.

A spokesperson for Cullen said the developer will be reviewing Dublin City Council's decision and is likely to submit a further application for the site.

Cullen plans to build 40 apartments on the 0.9-acre former Enable Ireland site on Sandymount Avenue, should he get permission from An Bord Pleanála.