Liam Carroll’s Fabrizia company has been refused permission for a major redevelopment of a site adjacent to the former Irish Glass Bottle factory in Sandymount, Dublin, by An Bord Pleanála citing concerns that it would be “premature” due to existing infrastructural problems.

The site that was formerly part of Sandymount Strand is located on South Bank Road close to Seán Moore Park and the Irish Glass Bottle Plant. Carroll’s site was purchased in 1999 for more than €31m from AIB.

In his original application, in May 2000, Mr Carroll had considered developing mainly appartment housing on the site but then changed his mind because of the effects that the Bacon Report had on discouraging residential investors at a time when commercial demand remained strong. Amendments to the initial plans were submitted, causing delays with An Bord Pleanála in terms of a decision.

In November 2004 an application for permission to build a €350m development overlooking Sandymount strand in Dublin 4 was submitted. The plans differed substantially from the previous plans for a 30-storey tower and mainly commercial development which Fabrizia submitted for the former AIB sports grounds in Sandymount.

The height and commercial element had been reduced and plans for a hotel were dropped. The new scheme had more than 780 new apartments. In addition, six office blocks had been retained with as much as 21,804 sq m of office space, an additional 2,600 sq m of retail space as well as a bar and restaurant.

Most of the 16 blocks were to be be six storeys and were to be for residential accommodation. All of the office blocks were seven storeys and one of the mixed blocks was proposed to be eight storeys. Standard two-bedroom apartments in the Ringsend area are selling from €380,000 but penthouse units with sea views could expect to exceed €1m.

In May 2006 Dublin City Council approved Mr Carroll’s plans granting permission, but this was appealed by Sandymount and Merrion Residents’ association and other objectors and now An Bord Pleanála has refused permission for the development of this site adjacent to the IGB site owned by developer Bernard McNamara.

This refusal has been cautiously welcomed by local resident groups. An Bord Pleanála’s ruling says the proposed multimillion euro development of the 4.9 hectare site would be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

Although it found that the site was “generally suitable” for development of the kind proposed by Fabrizia Developments, it noted a number of concerns. These included deficiencies in the capacity of the local road network, insufficient public transport and “uncertainties in the funding, design and implementation of the proposed Dodder Bridge, approach routes and connections to the site”.