Ireland’s planning appeals board An Bord Pleanala has refused planning permission for Mountbrook’s plans for a major mixed-use scheme in Dublin’s exclusive Ballsbridge area.

An Bord Pleanála’s today said the plans by Mountbrook, headed by developer Sean Dunne, should be refused because it would represent a ‘gross overdevelopment’ in the area which is one of the most prized addresses in Dublin.

Dunne proposed a 2m sq ft, mixed-use development called One Berkeley Court which would have been a mix of hotel, residential and office uses.

A spokesman for Mountbrook said the proposed development would have ‘broken the mould for Ireland in terms of providing a highclass mixed use development on this strategic site’.

‘The significant economic benefits and job creation opportunities of the proposed development would have created a much needed boost to Ireland in these current harsh economic times. The proposed development had a construction capital investment of €1bn, would have provided 970 on-site construction jobs per year for seven years, with an equivalent number off-site and, when completed, would have created over 5,400 permanent jobs as well as contributing €400m to the city’s economy each year,’ he said.

Mountbrook said it will consider An Bord Pleanála’s decision before submitting a revised application in accordance with the primarily residential zoning (Z1).