Planning body to begin hearing into IKEA development

An Bord Pleanála is to begin a public hearing today into plans for a massive IKEA outlet on the outskirts of Dublin city.

The Swedish furniture giant has already secured planning permission for the 30,000 square metre retail warehouse in the Ballymun area after the Government lifted a cap on shop size that had limited all retail outlets to 6,000 square metres.

A number of parties have appealed against the planning permission, including the National Roads Authority and Green Party TD Eamon Ryan.

Their concerns include the lack of infrastructure to deal with the extra traffic that would be caused by the IKEA store.

An Bord Pleanála's hearing into the matter is expected to last three days, with the final decision due in late May.