Businessman Martin Keane has said he intends to reapply for permission for a €100m redevelopment of Dublin's Iveagh market.
The hotelier and publican says he will resists any attempts by Dublin City Council to retake ownership of the historic market, which is currently derelict.
Local councillors recently passed a motion proposed by People Before Profit's Tina MacVeigh urging the council to consider acquiring the building.
But Mr Keane who controls the Oliver St John Gogarty Pub and Blooms Hotel in Temple Bar said he has taken legal advice and will not be handing over control.
He was granted planning permission in 2007 for the redevelopment of the Victorian market and adjacent Mother Redcaps site into a food market complex with restaurants, a 97-bed hotel, music venue and apart/hotel.
However problems with raising finance meant development did not go ahead and planning permission was extended in 2012 for a further five years and this is due to expire in August.
Although permission cannot be extended again Mr Keane can make a new planning application.
He said the restoration of the market is the problem as it would cost an estimated €37m, which cannot be made back by an operation involving artisan food producers and craft brewers.
Mr Keane said the Government should provide some funding or tax breaks for the heritage part of the plan.
"I'm not going to walk away. I'm not in this to make a killing, I have a passion for it".
He said the project was delayed initially by archaeological work and a legal dispute with original owners involving "horrendous" legal bills.
