Lansdowne Road redevelopment granted permission

The redevelopment of Lansdowne Road has been given the green light today.

Dublin City Council granted planning permission for the start of work this afternoon. It follows a long process of consultation with local residents, who had voiced concerns over the redevelopment.

Construction is set to commence on the project early next year.

The IRFU gave the news a guarded welcome.

“The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) warmly welcomes the notification from Dublin City Council of their decision to grant planning for the re-development of Lansdowne Road, while respecting that there remains some way to go in the process,” the organisation said in a statement.

“The importance of this project for the future well being of the whole of Irish rugby can not be overstated.

“Significant progress has already been made at the half way point in the IRFU’s four–year Strategic Plan and the potential presented by the new stadium is a key element in that mission.”

Local Labour Party councillor Kevin Humphreys was less enthusiastic however.

“The 28 conditions imposed in the planning permission doesn't go far enough to address the concerns of the local residents such as dust alleviation measures, overshadowing, number of concerts and the utilisation of the back pitch,” he said.

“To ensure the speedy completion of the stadium, I am calling on IRFU/FAI must meet with the local residents and deal with their concerns in a realistic manner which they've failed to do so far.”