Dublin adventure centre refused planning permission

An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for the development of Ireland's largest adventure centre planned for West Dublin, which could have created 1,000 jobs.

The company, Twinlite, had planned to invest €100m into the indoor ski resort, Snowtopia, which expected to draw more than 1.5 million visitors each year to the site in Tyrrelstown.

An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for the development, saying that it would conflict with local land zoning objectives, would draw custom from the nearby Blanchardstown cinema, and was poorly served by public transport.

Developers of the snow and ice leisure centre at Tyrellstown expressed "extreme disappointment" at the decision by the planning authority to uphold a refusal by Fingal County Council last February.

A spokewoman for Twinlite Ltd said it was "a sad situation when the IDA objects to a project which would create 1,000 badly needed jobs".

On the issue of transport, developers said they were prepared to run free shuttle buses from bus and rail links.

The company now says it could consider looking for an alternative site.