Dunne scheme ‘oppressive and monolithic’

An Bord Pleanala has been urged to reject developer Sean Dunne’s 1.5 billion high-rise scheme for Ballsbridge on the grounds that “Ballsbridge is not Knightsbridge”. Barrister Colm MacEochaidh, who is representing objectors to the project, claimed that “a cart and horse has been driven through the rules” of Dublin City Council’s development plan. In closing statements to the hearing on the proposal yesterday, Mr MacEochaidh urged the board to reject it in its entirety. He claimed the proposed buildings were “oppressive and monolithic” in design. “Ballsbridge is not Knightsbridge . . . The people who live in Ballsbridge have no wish to live in Knightsbridge,” he said. Mr Dunne is seeking permission for residential, retail and office development on the seven-acre site of the former Jurys and Berkeley Court hotels.

The Irish Times