Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has moved to restrict development at socalled "Bel Eire", the fashionable coastal strip around Killiney and Dalkey, in south Co Dublin. In the recent past a number of high-profile housing and apartment schemes have been developed in the area, which was dubbed Bel Eire because of the number of celebrities from the world of music and film who live there.
However, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown council is concerned at the loss of sea views as a result of developments between the coast roads and the sea.
A section in the Draft Development Plan approved by councillors this month states: "It is the policy of the county council to severely restrict new development between the coast road and the sea".
High-profile developments which would not be allowed under the new regulations include apartments and housing at Bartra Rock.
The original house at Bartra Rock was sold to Tony O'Reilly jnr for a figure in the region of £2 million, by Helen Stephenson, almost two years ago. Ms Stephenson, a sister-in-law of the architect Sam Stephenson, retained some of the land, which was later developed.
Another high-profile development is the planned replacement of the Dalkey Island Hotel with an apartment block. Such a development would be barred under the new development plan.
The council has also decided to seek the co-operation of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources "to ensure that foreshore development shall not conflict with the policy of the county council. The only exceptions envisaged by the council are developments designed to improve public amenity."