Board receives 33 objections to Lansdowne plan

A TOTAL of 33 objections have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the decision by Dublin City Council to grant planning permission for the €365 million redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

Several residents’ organisations as well as individual homeowners in the area around the stadium have also requested the board to hold an oral hearing on the project.

Most objectors claim the plans — which would see the height of the stadium rise to 160ft — would have an adverse effect on the character of the area and the quality of life of its residents. They are concerned the redevelopment will result in major overshadowing of houses and increased traffic.

Objectors also claim the proposed 50,000-seater arena contravenes the council’s development plan, and have questioned if the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC) has proper title to the land.

Among the opposition groups are residents’ associations from Havelock Square, Lansdowne Road, Bath Avenue, Shelbourne Road and O’Connell Gardens as well as the Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount Environment Group.

Dublin City Council issued its decision on July 31 to grant permission for the redevelopment of the stadium subject to 28 conditions. However, the council made no alteration to the proposed height of the project.

LRSDC has stated it hopes construction work on the stadium will be completed by summer 2009.

The deadline for objections closed on Monday. It is believed Bord Pleanála will stage an oral hearing. It has set a target deadline of December 11 next to give its final decision. However, planning sources said a decision to hold an oral hearing may impact on plans to give a ruling before Christmas.

A spokesperson for the LRSDC yesterday said it had factored in an appeal with an oral hearing to its original target of securing planning permission for the stadium by early next year.

The IRFU and FAI still hope demolition work can begin on the old Lansdowne Road next January.

Last night, a spokesperson for Bath Avenue and District Residents’ Association said they did not believe planning permission could be granted for the stadium as currently outlined.