Developer Johnny Ronan has been granted an oral hearing with An Bord Pleanála over his appeal against Dublin City Council's rejection of plans to build 22-storey tower in Dublin city centre, which would include a 110-bedroom hotel.
In late July, Ronan Group Real Estate said they were "shocked and disappointed" by the council's dismissal of the plans to build Dublin's tallest building next to Tara Street station, despite their putting together 30 different proposals in an attempt to address the concerns expressed by the council.
Now, the Irish Independent reports that An Bord Pleanála has agreed to a request for an oral hearing of his appeal, adding that the planning board "generally limits its use of oral hearings to cases it deems to be particularly complex or where there are significant national or local issues involved".
If the development is eventually given the green light, it will include office, a 110-bedroom hotel and be topped by a restaurant and bar with panoramic views over the city.
The proposed "Tara House" development will include a 17-storey tower, rising to a height of 88m (nearly 290ft), dwarfing the 59m (194ft) Liberty Hall, just across the the river,
Among the official reasons given by Dublin Council City for the initial rejection of planning permission were that the tower would detract from the character of the Custom House and that it would have a detrimental impact on the River Liffey Conservation Area as well as on the O'Connell Street and Environs Architectural Conservation Area.
