The Irish Independent has today reported that Dublin City Council has given a company backed by billionaire businessman, Denis O'Brien the go-ahead for a €50m luxury apartment plan in Donnybrook, despite concerns from two groups of D4 residents. 
 
In its decision, the City Council gave planning permission for the five five-storey apartment blocks containing 90 apartments,but has ordered that the top floor in the fifth block be omitted.

The Council has also ruled that the development does not require the provision of a child-care facility after consultants for Mr O'Brien's Purleigh Holdings Ltd argued that child-care facilities in the wider area would cope with any additional demand from the development.
 
Purleigh Holdings is required to pay €994,464 to the Council towards public infrastructure. In the planner's report recommending that planning be granted, the planner stated that the proposal was considered to be acceptable and in line with the proper planning of the area. 
 
Mr O'Brien acquired the site from UCD in 2008 when he gave UCD €15m in cash and another three acre site in a land-swap plus cash deal. 
 
Source: www.businessworld.ie