Objectors to plans for a potential "superpub" on St Stephen's Green in Dublin have warned that the character of the area would suffer if An Bord Pleanála approves the scheme.
Capital Bars, which operates several "superpubs" in the city centre, including Cafe en Seine, Break for the Border, the George and Zanzibar, is seeking permission for a change of use of the former Planet Hollywood premises.
The company, run by Liam O'Dwyer, wants to turn the 1,800 sq m restaurant opposite the Luas Sandyford line terminus into a bar and restaurant with an entertainment-dance area.
This was approved by Dublin City Council in November.
However, the council's decision was appealed by An Taisce, Bank of Scotland (Ireland), the Fitzwilliam Hotel and the Royal College of Surgeons because of fears that it would lead to the development of a substantial late-night drinking venue.
An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on the appeals this week. If it upholds the council's decision, the objectors believe such a move could set a precedent for the development of other late-night entertainment venues around the green.
"Dublin City Council has for some time acknowledged the undesirability of the proliferation of large public houses in the Temple Bar area of the city, and has been adopting a much stricter approach," said Ms Valerin O'Shea, of An Taisce.
Describing St Stephen's Green as "one of the country's most important amenity and historic areas", she said a similar approach should be adopted to protect it against "undesirable" developments such as super-pubs.
Although the planning application envisages a large area of the premises being operated as a restaurant, Ms O'Shea said experience suggested it was likely that the premises would "in effect, operate as an extremely large public house".
"In our view the number of 'superpubs' on streets adjacent to St Stephen's Green is already excessive," she said.
The appeal submitted by planning consultants RPS McHugh for the Fitzwilliam Hotel warned that the proposed development could serve as a precedent for a "fundamental change" in the content of land uses on the west side of St Stephen's Green.
Planning consultants Tom Philips and Associates argued on behalf of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) that the proposed change of use could give rise to a number of "undesirable adverse impacts" that could affect the overall amenity of the area.
Attempts to contact Capital Bars to comment on the objections drew no response.
