Mansfield facing legal action over €50m centre

MILLIONAIRE businessman and leading Fianna Fáil supporter Jim Mansfield looks set for another major confrontation with the planning authorities over his plans to build a €50 million conference centre as part of his Citywest complex in south-west Dublin.

The property developer could face legal action from South Dublin County Council over claims that construction work began on the site of the proposed centre in advance of the statutory four-week waiting period to allow for objections to An Bord Pleanála.

Mr Mansfield has been taken to court by the local authority over development at the Weston Aerodrome in Lucan which he bought for €12.7m two years ago.

The developer is hoping to build a 16,000-seater conference centre at Citywest in Saggart, Co Dublin, as the first phase of an €800m plan for the area.

However, Mr Mansfield’s development company HSS was only granted permission by South Dublin County Council last November for a centre hosting a maximum of less than 6,000 people.

An Taisce lodged an appeal against the decision on December 8, after learning construction work had begun on the site, adjacent to the existing Citywest Hotel and Golf complex, before the end of the mandatory waiting period.

It is understood some preliminary work on the roof and structure of the arena continued subsequently, despite the issuing of an enforcement order by the council to cease development on the site.

An Bord Pleanála is not expected to issue its decision on the appeal before April, but South Dublin County Council is to examine if it needs to take legal action in the interim to prevent further development of the conference centre.

The original planning permission allows for the construction of a two-storey centre with seating for up to 5,832 people in its main hall. The proposed building will also contain a temporary stage, stores, meeting rooms, a temporary bar area and toilet facilities.

In another recent setback for Mr Mansfield, An Bord Pleanála refused his application to build 83 golf apartments at Citywest.

Weeks prior to that, the board refused permission for the construction of five new hangars at Weston Aerodrome.

On a more positive note, the board cut planning levies of €1m imposed by South Dublin County Council to €70,000.