An Bord Pleanála has ruled that a major development in Kildare, part of which has already been constructed, will be granted partial planning permission.
The development involves Mr Jim Mansfield, owner of the Citywest Hotel and Leisure complex in Co Dublin. One of his companies - Newbridge-based firm Bridford Developments - is carrying out the construction.
An Tasice and others had appealed the decision. An Tasice claimed that when Kildare County Council granted the initial planning permission for the scheme at Palmerston Demesne in September last year it failed to notify An Taisce so that it could have made a submission.
An Taisce also claimed the environmental impact statement was inadequate in respect of boundary treatment, landscape, roads layout and the impact on heritage sites.
In its decision today An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development for an almost-complete golf course, a club house and a driving range.
However, it refused permission for a 290-bedroom hotel, 1,200-seat conference centre as well as housing and a business park on the site in Johnstown.
An Bord Pleanála said it was granting permission for the golf course and driving range because these fitted in with the Kildare County Development Plan.
According to An Bord Pleanála the site falls within the Strategic Green Belt for the Greater Dublin Area.
An Bord Pleanála said the development must be carried out in accordance with a revised Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on May 23rd, 2003.
When contacted this afternoon, representatives of Bridford Developments said they were making no comment on the decision.