The owners of Dublin’s four-star Clarence Hotel, including U2 lead singer Bono, are not proceeding with a High Court challenge to Dublin City Council’s refusal to extend planning permission for their €150 million plan to transform the premises.
The Clarence Partnership, whose shareholders include Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, U2 guitarist The Edge, financier Derek Quinlan and developer Paddy McKillen, had last August secured permission to challenge the coun cil’s refusal to extend the permission granted in 2008.
That permission was for a €150 million plan (above), designed by British archi- tect Norman Foster, to transform the hotel into a 141-bedroom five-star hotel and spa.
Last March, the partnership sought to extend the duration of the permission, which is required to be renewed every five years.
That application was refused on grounds the proposed new eight-storey building exceeded the maximum height permissible at the location.
When the action was mentioned before the High Court yesterday, John Gal- lagher SC, for the council, said the partnership was not proceeding and, on consent of both parties, the matter could be struck out.
No order for costs was required, Mr Gallagher added.
Last August, Eamon Galligan SC, for the partnership, secured permission from the High Court to bring the challenge. He said the highly ambitious project for the hotel at Wellington Quay and Essex Street was shelved in 2009 because of economic circumstances beyond the control of the partnership.