U2 to appeal hotel planning refusal

Plans by Bono and The Edge to revive their parked €150m revamp of Dublin’s Clarence Hotel were stopped in their tracks by Dublin City Council, the High Court heard yesterday.

However, the council’s decision can be challenged, a judge has ruled.

Eamon Galligan, counsel for The Clarence Partnership, which includes developer Paddy McKillen, said the local authority refused to extend planning permission it granted in 2007 for a new and enlarged hotel.

He told Mr Justice Paul McDermott that the project for the hotel at Wellington Quay and Essex St had been shelved in 2009.

In March, the partnership asked the council to extend the duration of the existing planning permission which has to be renewed on a five-yearly basis.

Mr Galligan said the council had sought further information to demonstrate that the height of the proposed development, which includes an elliptical, flying saucer-like roof known as a “skycatcher”, was in accordance with the Dublin City Development Plan.

Following the partnership’s response the council had refused the application to extend the permission on the basis the proposed new eight-storey building exceeded the maximum height permissible at the location under the development plan.

The Clarence Partnership was granted leave to challenge the council’s decision. Judge McDermott said he had been satisfied there were substantial grounds to do so.

The €150m overhaul of the hotel, including a rooftop bar, and 141 guest bedrooms, was designed by renowned British architect, Norman Foster.