Sir, - In the light of the various controversies over the planning process in Co Dublin in recent times, it is with dismay and amazement that a number of residents' organisations in this area learned that planning permission had been granted to turn Thomas Prior House, on the corner of Merrion Road and Simmonscourt Road, into an "aparthotel" of over 300 units. And it seems that permission was given without any objection from Dublin Corporation.Thomas Prior House is a significant heritage building in this area and is well known to all who travel to the city along the Merrion Road/Ballsbridge route. The proposed aparthotel will completely dwarf the original building, as well as adding more traffic to an already congested intersection. When considered in the light of a Four Seasons Hotel planned for the opposite corner in the RDS grounds, this raises serious questions about the depth of analysis and reflection that goes into the planning process.We object strongly to the scale of this development and to the disappearance in real terms of a valuable and attractive heritage building familiar to many Dubliners. - Yours, etc.,David O'Brien,Chairperson,Churchill TerraceResidents Association,Sandymount,Dublin 4.