Developer plans new town centre

PLANS by developer Owen O’Callaghan to transform his Liffey Valley complex into a designated town centre for west Dublin were taken a stage further this week.

Barkhill, a company controlled by Owen O’Callaghan and Grosvenor Estates, is seeking planning permission this week for more than 600 apartments on the Liffey Valley site, including a signature 16-storey tower apartment building. He also has further plans to enlarge Liffey Valley shops’ element by 50% to almost one million square feet of retail space, including neighbourhood shops.

Barkhill has been competing with rival developers Treasury Holdings to secure designated town centre status for the Lucan Clondalkin area at its 187-acre Liffey Valley site. It also aims to provide a further 1,000 residential units, cultural and civic facilities, offices, public transport links and increased car parking, leisure and other services as well as a new High Street. A 150-bed Clarion hotel adjoins the six-acre site for the proposed 600 apartments, while offices and a bar complex are already being provided.