Rezoning move sees Citywest Hotel scheme back on track

DEVELOPER Jim Mansfield’s €50 million West Dublin scheme is back on track.

South Dublin County Council is proposing to rezone the site at Citywest Hotel near Saggart to facilitate completion of his partially-built conference centre.

Four months ago An Bord Pleanála upheld an appeal by An Taisce against Mr Mansfield’s plans for the 5,800-seat facility.

The planning board decided to refuse permission on the basis that a convention centre billed as being of national or international importance should be located in Dublin city centre or another major town centre. At that stage, Mr Mansfield faced the prospect of having to demolish the structure - after work began on it before it had full planning approval.

Even though the disputed facility remains the subject of enforcement proceedings by the council, it has undertaken not to act to force Mr Mansfield to demolish the structure pending the outcome of a judicial review into its planning status.

A spokesman for the council has denied the council was providing planning “through the back door” for Mr Mansfield.

Defending the council management’s decision, the spokesman stressed the council was always in favour of the conference centre as a welcome tourist infrastructure for the area.

The rezoning proposal, made by council management, is included in a list of proposed amendments to the council’s draft development plan published on Tuesday.

Councillors have approved the amendment and will make a final decision the zoning by December.