No High Court action over Clarence owners’ expansion plans

The owners of the four-star Clarence Hotel, which include Bono and the Edge, are not proceeding with a High Court action against a refusal by Dublin City Council to extend planning permission for a €150m proposal to transform the premises.

Last August, lawyers for the Clarence Partnership, whose shareholders are listed as U2’s Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson, the Edge, along with financier Derek Quinlan and developer, Paddy McKillen, secured permission to challenge the council’s refusal to extend planning secured five years ago.

Planning permission was granted for a €150m plan to transform the Clarence from a 44-bedroomed hotel into a 141-bedroom five-star hotel and spa complete with restaurant, bar, and fresh food market. It was designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster.