Dublin city councillors have opened discussions with the developers of the proposed new Lansdowne Road stadium in relation to the sale of council land required for the development, ahead of a Bord Pleanála decision on whether the project can proceed.
The planning board is due to decide today whether it will grant permission for the 50,000-seater stadium, opposed by more than 30 local residents' groups and individuals who feel the structure is too high.
Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC) wants a strip of land along the side of the river Dodder for the new stadium. The section of the Dodder walkway, comprising approximately half an acre, is public land and can only be sold with the agreement of the city councillors.
The council would not disclose the figure it has put on the value of the land, which is zoned for amenity use. However, a half-acre site in the area would be worth several million euros if zoned for development. In addition to the purchase price, it is likely that the council will lay down a number of conditions in relation to community gain and compensation before it agrees to a sale.
Councillors from the southeast area of the city held preliminary talks about the land on Tuesday with the developers, including LRSDC chief executive Michael Greene, IRFU chief executive Philip Browne and FAI chief executive John Delaney.
It is understood that no party on the council will oppose the sale as long as the developers provide adequate compensation for local residents who would be most affected by the development.
The developers bought two houses on Lansdowne Road in recent weeks and have bought several others over the last two years. However, a number of residents living closest to the stadium, particularly in O'Connell Gardens, feel their concerns have been ignored. The developers agreed on Tuesday to engage with the O'Connell Gardens Boundary Group.
