The Irish Times

Ballsbridge residents have "lost confidence" in Dublin City Council because of the way in which it is dealing with the draft local area plan and the proposed rezoning of nine key sites for higher density mixed-use developments. The sites include those occupied by Jurys and the Berkeley Court hotels, the former veterinary college on Shelbourne Road and Carrisbrook House at the junction of Northumberland Road and Pembroke Road. Other targets for rezoning include another site on Shelbourne Road, as well as the stretch of Pembroke Road between Texaco and the US embassy, Merrion Road between the Sweepstakes site and AIB's Bankcentre and the landscaped forecourt of the AIB complex. Last month, the city council advertised a proposed variation in the Dublin City Development Plan, under which the zoning of these sites would change to facilitate a mix of office, retail and residential uses at densities that could allow for high-rise buildings.