Arnotts Northern Quarter development gets green light

An Bord Pleanála has approved plans for a massive redevelopment of the Arnotts and Penneys sites in Dublin city centre.

The €700m Northern Quarter development will transform the area between Henry Street, Middle Abbey Street, Liffey Street and O'Connell Street.

The plans were initially rejected by An Bord Pleanála, mainly because they included a 16-storey tower which the planning appeals body said would obstruct the sky-line.

The developer has agreed to drop the height of the tower, reduce the number of car parking spaces and protect several historic building fronts on the site.

The redevelopment includes a hotel, cafes and restaurants, more than 170 apartments and up to 50 shops.