Jim Mansfield has scaled back his plans to build a large convention centre at his Citywest hotel complex in the hope of getting the green light from planners.
The businessman has applied to South Dublin County Council for permission to build a 4,000-capacity centre at Citywest, at a cost of €70-€90 million. The facility will cover 7,500sq ft with a ceiling rising to 13m or more in height to allow for big stage sets that are required for major conferences.
Mr Mansfield's latest application comes less than a year after An Bord Pleanála refused him permission to build a significantly larger, 6,000-capacity conference facility at Citywest. This followed appeals by An Taisce, the heritage body, and businessman Harry Crosbie, who runs the Point.
Mr Mansfield, whose property portfolio is valued at €1.4 billion, had earlier built a steel-frame structure for the building without permission and was ordered to take it down by the council. The structure remains in place.
Bernard O'Byrne, chief executive of the Mansfield Group, said he was confident the new application would address "all the issues" that An Bord Pleanála had previously raised. "We're confident that it [the application] will be approved this time."
Mr Mansfield is pursuing a judicial review of the board's decision to refuse permission. This would be withdrawn if its new application is accepted, Mr O'Byrne said. "We want to get on with the business of Citywest rather than be stuck for the next two years in a judicial review."
The new facility would generate annual revenues of €50 million for the national economy, according to the hotel group.
Mr O'Byrne said a number of key local infrastructure projects had been completed recently, which should boost its chances of receiving planning permission. These include the widening of the N7 and plans to extend the Luas to Citywest.
Mr Mansfield, who also owns Weston airport, Finnstown House hotel and Palmerstown House and golf club, is one of three local businessmen who will pay €13 million each to the Rail Procurement Agency to fund the extension of the Tallaght line.
Citywest is the biggest hotel complex in Ireland. An extra 99 suites are currently being added at a cost of €40 million, which will bring its room total to 1,770. The complex also has an existing conference centre that caters for 4,000 delegates, 3,000 car park spaces and two golf courses.
Mr O'Byrne said the proposed national conference centre at Spencer Dock would not pose a threat to Citywest's new facility.
