U2 get the go ahead to develop the Clarence Hotel on Wellington Quay in Dublin.
U2 members Bono and The Edge have secured approval from An Bord Pleanala to redevelop the Clarence Hotel in Dublin. Heritage groups, like An Taisce, had opposed the plan as most of the art deco hotel, and several Georgian buildings, will effectively be demolished.
Last April, U2 guitarist The Edge told An Bord Pleanala that if the redevelopment proposals were rejected, then the future of the Clarence Hotel could be in doubt.
We feel that this is the only way to ensure it will remain.
Under the plans developed by architect Norman Foster, most of the 1930s hotel, four Georgian buildings and a Victorian building will be effectively demolished. The new structure will be covered by a huge glass atrium. The designers hope to make the venue one of the top ten hotels in the world. Heritage groups opposed the plans which they said were inappropriate. An Bord Pleanala has sided with owners Bono and The Edge. There is a possibility that the decision could be appealed to the High Court but this would prove very costly and unlikely to succeed.
A statement from the Clarence Hotel has not indicated when the development would begin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 July 2008. The reporter is Paul Cunningham.
