An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for the compulsory purchase of Dartmouth Square in Dublin.
The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) was served on businessman Noel O'Gara, of Ballinahowen, Athlone, who bought the land for less than €11,000 last year from PJ Darley, whose family originally developed the area in the 1880s.
Mr O'Gara had intended to use the land as a car park but was stopped from doing so earlier this month by a High Court injunction.
Dublin City Council had offered to buy the land from Mr Darley in 1987 for £8,500 (€10,800), but the deal was never completed, and the council instead entered into a lease agreement that lapsed in 1997.
Mr O'Gara, who contested the CPO, said he paid less than the council's offer for the land, but he believes it is worth €175 million.
The injunction awarded to the council to stop Mr O'Gara parking cars in the park will be reviewed by the High Court on October 9th.
Green Party chairman John Gormley said he was "delighted" at An Bord Pleanála's decision. "Mr O'Gara has tried to portray himself through the media as a harassed landowner holding out against the residents of the square who wish to keep the park for their own exclusive use," the Dublin South East TD said.
"However, as I asserted in my submission to An Bord Pleanála, this park is an amenity for all residents in the area. Dublin South East has less public open space per capita than any other area of Dublin, and it would be unacceptable to see another park close to the public."
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Chris Andrews described the decision as a victory for the local community and for Dubliners. "It is now important that the council acts swiftly to protect the square as a green area for the local community and for people throughout Dublin," he said.
Mr Andrews called on the council to carry out a review of the management and protection of similar parks and squares around Dublin.
