A PLAN to demolish Sandymount Presbyterian Church and halls is to go ahead despite objections from local residents.
In a statement issued last night, the Presbyterian Residential Trust confirmed it would proceed with the demolition of the church, which dates back to 1858, and replace it with sheltered accommodation for elderly people and a number of luxury apartments.
It has obtained planning permission for the £1.5 million development from Dublin Corporation.
The trust postponed work on the site on August 13th to hear residents' concerns. The statement said that in the four weeks since, members of the trust had met local residents and politicians, officials of An Taisce and a solicitor and architect working on the residents' behalf.
It had wanted to hear their concerns and to receive proposals from them detailing other ways in which the site could be developed. It also met corporation officials and the National Monuments Committee.
"Now having reviewed its own proposals, which were developed over a seven-year period from 1992, and given detailed consideration to the residents' proposals, including having some outline drawings prepared by the trust's architects to test the feasibility of one suggested option, they have decided to proceed with the project as originally planned," the statement said.
It also said that the church had not been used for worship for more than 20 years and that the site would now be used to provide "urgently needed accommodation".
The Sandymount and District Heritage Trust said it was "extremely concerned" about the decision as it believed negotiations in an attempt to save the church were continuing.
The group continued its protest outside the church last night before residents met once more to consider their options at this stage.