An Bord Pleanála has held a preliminary hearing into the development of the Spencer Docks area in Dublin. This morning's hearing, which lasted two hours, set the agenda for the full oral hearing which will begin later this month. Objections will be heard from a diverse range of interest groups, including the East and North Wall Residents' Associations, An Taisce, the Irish Georgian Society, as well as environmental groups, city councillors and businessman Dermot Desmond, who is based in the nearby International Financial Services Centre.
The Spencer Dock Development Company, which has already been granted permission for part of the development, is itself objecting to certain conditions imposed by An Bord Pleanála. Up to 50 expert witnesses will be heard at the oral hearing that is due to get underway on February 21 and is expected to last at least 10 days.
The Spencer Dock development is one of the biggest and most ambitious developments in the history of the State and includes a 2,000-seater conference centre, hotels, shops and several high rise office and apartment blocks. Last year Dublin Corporation granted the Spencer Dock development company permission to go ahead with the conference centre and one of the blocks. It gave only outline permission for the rest of the development.
