CarltonSite: Dublin City Council is anxious to see the Carlton site developed as a major mixed-use scheme that could link up with the redeveloped Ilac centre, reports Edel Morgan

There is speculation that the former Carlton Cinema on Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, will be redeveloped to link in with the Ilac centre on Henry Street, if Dublin City Council is ultimately successful in its Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the site.

Following a failed High Court challenge to the CPO by architect Paul Clinton of the Carlton Group - which secured planning permission to develop the site in late 1999 - the case is currently under judicial review. Depending on the outcome, Mr Clinton has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court.

Dublin City Council moved in with a compulsory purchase order (CPO) in 2001 after officials became concerned that the Carlton group would be unable to complete the redevelopment. This was later confirmed by An Bord Pleanála.

The council claimed it made the CPO after coming to the conclusion that the Carlton Group didn't have the finance or development expertise to advance the project. The redevelopment of the site is seen as vital to the rejuvenation of Upper O'Connell Street and the surrounding area. "We are intent on insuring that the main thoroughfare is upgraded and becomes more integrated into the main shopping area," says Martin Kavanagh of Dublin City Council.

The High Court action was heard over three weeks ending in March 2004. Mr Clinton claimed the CPO breached his constitutional right to property and was made without the council identifying ways to develop the site. He said the Carlton Group was never given a proper opportunity to progress its proposed development.

It is believed that, if the CPO is confirmed, Dublin City Council's preferred developer is Joe O'Reilly, who was behind the Dundrum Town Centre and who, it has emerged, has agreed to pay €125 million for British Land's 50 per cent stake in the Ilac centre on Henry Street.

According to Martin Kavanagh, Dublin City Council's plan for the Carlton site is "not a million miles from what was proposed before under the 1999 planning permission".

Although it will be a shopping and entertainment complex, it is likely to be mixed-use and higher density, in line with current planning policy and will comprise a residential element as well as retail and cinema and leisure.

Dublin City Council is confident that the redeveloped Carlton site will attract shoppers despite its location on a part of the street that has previously been a retail desert.

"There are a number of UK multiples who want to be in Dublin city centre but can't get a footplate. That's why they are going to places like Dundrum," said Martin Kavanagh.