Redevelopment:Drogheda's Scotch Hall shopping centre is set for major expansion following a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for an extension.

Gerry Barrett's Edward Holdings has been given the all clear to build a major retail and leisure extension to its €150 million shopping centre and hotel complex, which opened in 2005.

There is currently 18,000sq m (193,750sq ft) of retail on offer at the shopping centre. Called Southbank, the scheme will comprise 13,000sq m (139,931sq ft) of retail space which will be linked to the existing shopping centre at ground and first floor level. The new element will be laid out in 20 units with a three-storey anchor unit. The scheme will also incorporate an eight-screen cinema, a 13-storey office building with 11,000sq m (118,403sq ft) of office space and a 67-bedroom extension to the D Hotel.

A 27-storey residential block, which originally formed part of the Southbank scheme, was withdrawn over a year ago when it ran into planning difficulties with the local authority. The developer said it is likely to seek planning permission for a residential scheme at the site at a later date.