The redevelopment of the 1960s Phibsboro shopping centre has been given the go-ahead by An Board Pleanála after it rejected residents' objections to the €75 million scheme.
Plans to demolish the eight-storey concrete tower over a single-storey shopping arcade and replace it with a modern glass shopping mall were approved by Dublin City Council last March.
The new shopping centre will triple in size with an additional 5,000 sq m of retail space being added to the existing 2,500 sq m and will provide funds for a much needed upgrade of Dalymount Park football grounds, which adjoins the back of the centre.
A 400-seat stand will be provided to the football club under a deal which provides for part of the mall to run into the ground floor of the new stand.
The mall will be built on a site of 1.23 acres with frontages on to Dalymount Park, Connaught Street, North Circular Road and Phibsboro Road.
Unlike the old centre, the new scheme will have a significant residential element with more than 120 apartments.
Local residents lodged objections claiming that the new development would be obtrusive and would seriously damage amenities in the area.
However, An Bord Pleanála has decided to grant permission for the development. In its report the planning authority said the scheme was in accordance with proper planning and development of the area and would not seriously damage amenities or property in the vicinity. It added that the development would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.
The centre is currently anchored by Tesco (which owns its own shop) and 21 other retailers, including Xtra-Vision, Eddie Rocket's diner, Burdock's restaurant and local traders.
