Property developer Seán Dunne's controversial plan to turn apartments in a private development in south Dublin into student accommodation has been given the go-ahead by planners.

Last year Dunne's efforts to turn eight apartments in the Merrion Grove apartment scheme on the Stillorgan Road, Co Dublin, into a "residence hall" for UCD students prompted high court proceedings.

The High Court heard that Dunne intended to carry out alterations to the apartments to provide accommodation for students under Section 50 tax-break legislation.

Merrion Grove management committee succeeded in getting an interim injunction restraining Dunne from continuing with alterations to the apartments.

The matter is due back in court next June.

Meanwhile, Dunne, along with his son Stephen and daughter Elaine, have secured planning permission from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to change the use of the apartments to student accommodation.

They have also been given the green light to carry out internal work in all the apartments, including the amalgamation of three apartments into a three-bedroom disabled access unit.