The Irish Times

AIB has got the go-ahead from An Bord Pleanála for a seven-storey office block on the site of its existing 1970s-built Bankcentre bounded by Merrion Road and Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge despite local opposition. Edel Morgan reports. Three appeals representing over 100 households in the area were lodged to An Bord Pleanála against planning permission granted by Dublin City Council for the proposed 56,834 sq m (611,755 sq ft) office scheme on the 14-acre grounds. The appellants were Ballsbridge Management Company representing 90 apartments, Tom and Helen Marren, and 13 residents of Serpentine Avenue and Serpentine Terrace. The plan is for three linked blocks rising from five to seven storeys. Ballsbridge Court Management Committee argued that the development should be no more than four storeys high and that its height and proximity will result in overshadowing, overlooking and loss of privacy. Another concern was the provision of 915 car-parking spaces for 4,500 staff.