Planning:Property developer Noel Smyth is seeking to build 80 apartments on a seafront site, part of which used to be a section of St Michael's Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.

The developer and solicitor is seeking permission to build a mixed-use scheme of apartments and two shops on an eight-acre site on Crofton Road to the rear of the hospital. The development will range from six to eight storeys in height. The site includes the hospital's former car park.

Smyth is also seeking permission from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to redevelop the former nurses' home, to the rear of the hospital, and accessed via Eblana Avenue.

The building beside the Sisters of Mercy convent will be turned into a 31-apartment scheme.

As part of the scheme Wexele, a subsidiary of Smyth's development company Alburn, will build a community facility on the site for the Sisters of Mercy comprising offices, a six-bedroom residence and a prayer room.

St Michael's Hospital hit the headlines earlier this year when it emerged that its owners, St Vincent's Healthcare Group, was considering preliminary proposals from Smyth who is seeking to acquire part or all of St Michael's Hospital.

At the time there was speculation that another site within the Dún Laoghaire area would have to be found for a new hospital if any deal was to be struck.

The news prompted a local outcry over the future of the hospital and, since then, Smyth has denied he was in discussions with the hospital. But he did say that if the owners decided to sell, he would be interested in buying.

Smyth is also expected to be among one of the developers bidding for the Boylan Community Centre, an old parochial hall beside the hospital. The .48-acre site at Sussex Street and Eblana Avenue, beside the nurses' home, is guiding €15 million with Savills Hamilton Osborne King.