Tuesday 4 September 2007

Dunne to spend €31m on locals

DEVELOPER Sean Dunne is promising to spend €31m on the local community in an apparent bid to reduce opposition to his plans for a 37-storey skyscraper in Ballsbridge.

Mr Dunne's company Mountbrook Homes is hoping to secure planning permission for the 137-metre tower on a seven-acre site which formerly housed the Jury's Hotel.

His development company yesterday released a statement outlining "a substantial package of social and community gain initiatives for the local area."

It says these will include spending €11m on a new community centre for the Ringsend and Irishtown area.

The company said there could also be "a possible" €5m redevelopment of existing sheltered housing at Sandymount.

Mountbrook has said it will set aside €5m to contribute to local amenities and will also provide art galleries, a cinema, theatre and a fitness centre.

The development company is also proposing to spend €2.5m on a pedestrian bridge over the river Dodder at Shelbourne Road and a further €2.5m on subsidising 30 creche places for children.

New lighting, wider footpaths are promised for Lansdowne road at a cost of €1.6m.

Also, Mountbrook is planning to present Dublin City Council and the Railway Procurement Agency with a feasibility study for extending the LUAS line to Ballsbridge.

Irish Independent

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