Developer weighs options on Citywest decision

Property developer Mr Jim Mansfield is considering a judicial review of an An Bord Pleanála's refusal to grant permission for…

Property developer Mr Jim Mansfield is considering a judicial review of an An Bord Pleanála's refusal to grant permission for a €50 million convention centre near Saggart in west Dublin.

In refusing permission by a seven-to-one majority, the board noted the site was outside the city limits and removed from public transport links, meaning it would be reliant on private transport.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio this morning, Mr Mansfield said he was awaiting the final report from An Bord Pleanála before deciding with his legal team on what action to take. A judicial review of the decision can only be taken on a point of law.

Mr Mansfield disagreed with concerns raised by the board that the convention centre would increase traffic congestion. He said that during Special Olympics events at the Citywest Hotel complex visitors traveled via "80 or 90 busloads of people.

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"All foreigners will be coming in by bus, they won't be coming in by car." He added that he was hopeful that the Luas would be extended to serve Citywest.

Mr Abe Jacobs, senior executive officer in the planning department of South Dublin County Council, said the council would refrain from seeking to have a steel structure on the convention centre site demolished until any judicial review process was completed.

If such a review was unsuccessful, Mr Jacobs said he hoped it could be removed "by agreement".

The board's decision departed from the planning inspector's recommendation. Along with congestion concerns, the board said it "would be inappropriate and impractical to seek to control the scale of the development by a condition prohibiting the concurrent use of the proposed facility (6,000) and the existing 4,000 capacity."

The board said the siting of the convention centre contravened planning guidelines in the greater Dublin area.