Planning: Dancer Michael Flatley has appealed Cork County Council's decision to refuse planning permission to retain two decorative ponds and a gymnasium at his listed mansion Castlehyde, near Fermoy.
Cork County Council said the ponds, situated in front of the east and west wings on the southern side of the building, are "out of character with the protected structure" and the gym would seriously detract from Castlehyde's setting. However, Flatley says the building has been extended a number of times during its history, and "is not a finite entity and can sustain a certain amount of intervention". He believes the "classic views of Castlehyde" are not affected by the ponds and that the gym and a plant room to the rear of the main building have no visual impact.
Meanwhile, Inchicore residents have appealed planning permission granted to Carnriver Ltd for the redevelopment of 136 Emmet Road, Dublin 8, into an office and apartment block - a site that was earmarked for a monument to Robert Emmet. The proposal by Carnriver is to demolish existing sheds, workshops and offices on the site, which also fronts onto the South Circular Road, and build a three-to-five storey office block with 1,075 sq m (11,571 sq ft) of commercial on the ground floor, a retail unit, 23 apartments and parking.
Local resident Michael Flanagan's appeal is supported by a number of people including local representatives. It says the development is contravening zoning for the site "to preserve, provide and improve recreational amenities and open space". Another concern includes the scale, density and height of the scheme which it says obstructs views of Kilmainham Gaol.