THE Taliban of Shrewsbury Road are at it again. Businessman Denis O'Brien, who paid around €30 million for a pile on the road about 18 months ago, wants to extend the Tudor-style house before moving. However, some of his neighbours are apparently having none of it.

A meeting earlier this week considered the O'Brien's plans to build up and out which some believe is not appropriate for Dublin's most expensive road.

Don't be surprised if O'Brien opts to live elsewhere, given Shrewsbury's reputation for having the narkiest neighbours in town. It might be that Belmont will join the growing number of deserted properties on the road that have been stalled by planning objections which, in some cases, have been going on since the last century.

Just ask Frank O'Malley who has had a bitter battle to redevelop the one-acre Chester Beatty site, such is the hair splitting engaged in by the residents. Let's hope he gets there in the end.