The Irish Times

An Bord Pleanála yesterday granted planning permission for a shopping and entertainment complex centred on the former Carlton cinema site, O'Connell Street, Dublin.

In its decision, An Bord Pleanála said it would make a "significant contribution to the regeneration of the area and would not seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity". Six conditions laid down by the board include a requirement to widen the proposed galleried mall linking Upper O'Connell Street with Moore Street. The board also specified that the façades flanking the Carlton should integrate more closely with the neo-classical character of O'Connell Street and the roof should be amended to reduce its mass and environmental impact.

Tthe board's decision may be challenged in the High Court by a subsidiary of rival developers Treasury Holdings Ltd, which had appealed against Dublin Corporation's decision to approve the scheme. This appeal has held up the project by nine months and legal action by Keelgrove Ltd, the Treasury Holdings subsidiary, could delay it by a further two years.