Leading Scottish developer Morrison is walking away from a prime riverside site opposite the Point Depot after failing to get planning permission for a high-rise apartment development. Both the city planners and An Bord Pleanala were adamant in their refusal to allow a 13-storey block, even though Zoe Developments has already built a 16-storey block at nearby Charlotte Quay. Zoe's scheme shows that high-rise works in the Docklands, whether the planners like it or not.
In the same spirit, the board have blocked Cosgraves grand plan for an 80-metre tall tower block at George's Quay that would have looked down on Liberty Hall. Morrison had planned to build 114 apartments at Thorncastle Street on a joint venture basis with IAWS, owners of the site. It is understood that IAWS is now planning to sell the site on through Hooke & MacDonald, though the agency could not confirm the sale this week. If it goes on the market, the three-quarters of an acre plot is expected to make over £6 million.
Meanwhile, Morrison is to turn its attention to a large housing site it has acquired in Naas. The company is also involved with developer Garret Kelleher in a major hotel and retail scheme at the junction of Moore Street and Parnell Street.
