Lands to the rear of Briargate, once the Swords home of disgraced former minister Ray Burke, are to be used to create a temporary access to the Pavilions Shopping Centre to alleviate traffic chaos in the area.
Burke sold Briargate - a large redbrick two-storey house which stands on an acre site - to the developers of the shopping centre, Flynn and O'Flaherty, for €3.8 million two years ago.
The planning application will be welcomed by locals who have complained about weekend traffic congestion around the Malahide Road roundabout near the entrance to the shopping centre.
Local groups demanded the upgrading of the Malahide roundabout, and suggested a second entrance off the bypass to alleviate congestion.
The developer is looking to create a temporary access and exit roadway off the dual carriageway, south of the existing Malahide Road roundabout through lands to the rear of Briargate, which is on the Malahide Road.
The proposal is also to make alterations to the existing lay out of one of the car parks on the grounds of the shopping centre.
The Pavilions Shopping Centre, Swords - opened in May, 2001 by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern - has proven popular with shoppers. It has 52 retail outlets, a restaurant and 1,050-space multistorey car park as well as 650 surface level car spaces.
