Planning permission for a €250 million residential scheme, involving the construction of a 12-storey block at the former Bank of Ireland staff sports ground at Mount Merrion, has been lodged with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The site was the subject of a larger planning application in 2002, but this was refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Niall Mellon's Knockrabo Developments is seeking to construct 330 apartments, 34 duplexes and five townhouses in eight blocks ranging in height from two to 12 storeys on a site measuring three hectares at Knockrabo, Mount Anville Road, Dublin 14.
The site at Knockrabo is bordered by Mount Anville Road and the Salamanca, Salzburg and Heidelberg estates. A total of 538 basement and surface car-parking spaces will be provided, as well as an additional 429 bicycle spaces.
The scheme will also involve the construction of a fitness facility and a crèche. Permission is also being sought to construct a new access point from Mount Anville Road, pending the construction of the Sandyford-St Helen's link motorway.
The site was the subject of a previous planning application by former owners, Michael Roden's Merrion Property Group, which was given approval by the council to develop the site and build 569 houses and apartments, as well as a gymnasium and convenience store in 2002.
This decision was later overturned by An Bord Pleanála following an appeal by the Southside Residents' Alliance. The scale of the scheme and that it would add to traffic congestion in the area was cited as of major concern by residents. In July, 2003 the Merrion Property Group sold the site for over €50 million to Niall Mellon, who has been involved in the UK property market in recent years and owns Taylor's Three Rock pub and the Henry Grattan pub.
Subsequently, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council voted in favour of rezoning the former Bank of Ireland sports ground for development in November 2003.
Niall Mellon said his company has been in contact with the residents and expressed his hope that the design of the scheme would meet with the approval of people living in the area.
Knockrabo Developments Ltd lists John Fitzgerald from Co Kilkenny and Niall Mellon, Cape Town, South Africa as directors.
