More planning news in brief.

Ad firm plunges for office pool

ADVERTISING FIRM AFA O'Meara Advertising takes the health of its employees so seriously it is proposing to build a swimming pool in its basement.

The advertising firm is based at 46 James's Place East, off Baggot Street Lower in Dublin 2.

The firm was granted permission to demolish its three-storey office building to make way for a larger four-storey over basement office building last year.

Now it is looking to amend this permission to almost double the size of its basement to allow for a 20-metre swimming pool. The pool is to be only used by the employees of the offices, according to the firm in its planning application to Dublin City Council.

D8 scheme gets green light

DUBLIN CITY Council has granted the OCBM partnership planning permission for a seven-storey mixed-use development on Old Kilmainham Road, Dublin 8 despite receiving 12 objections.

The development at 40 Old Kilmainham Road will involve the demolition of a garage and car showroom and the construction of a 5,250sq m (56,510sq ft) development with over 3,000sq m (32,292sq ft) of enterprise space, five live/work units, 18 apartments and basement parking for 40 cars.

The building separates into two blocks above first floor level with a large planted courtyard between at second floor level.

The council's decision will come as a blow to the Kilmainham residents who objected to the scheme saying it is adjoining a Conservation Area and citing overshadowing and loss of privacy of nearby homes as a reason to refuse planning permission.