Businessman Jim Mansfield has received another blow to his plans to develop Weston aerodrome, with a decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission for a hotel, conference and leisure centre at the site in Lucan, Co Dublin.
The board said the proposed development would "detract from the rural amenities of the area" and would "be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".
The ruling was the latest in a series of knock-backs delivered by planning authorities to companies under the control of Mr Mansfield, the multimillionaire operator of the Citywest Hotel.
On Tuesday An Bord Pleanála refused his company, HSS Ltd, permission to construct 60 golf lodges/apartments at Fortunestown Lane, Saggart.
The location was "the site of a recorded monument and places (area of archaeological potential) with protected structure status", the planning board noted.
Last week, companies under the control of Mr Mansfield were ordered by the High Court to remove unauthorised developments at Weston aerodrome and to pay the legal costs of proceedings brought by South Dublin County Council regarding those developments.
Weston Ltd had sought to construct a 95-bedroom hotel; a leisure centre incorporating a 20m swimming pool and gym facilities and a 400-seater conference centre.
The planned development incorporated the demolition of an existing gate lodge and the construction of a new lodge at a different location, allowing for parking for 340 cars.
South Dublin County Council refused permission last February, and An Bord Pleanála upheld this decision, saying the development was located in an area zoned green belt.
The board added: "It is considered that the site of the proposed development is located within the attendant grounds of Weston Park House which is listed for protection in the South Dublin County Development Plan 2004-2010, and that the proposed development by reason of its design and location, would detract, to an undue degree, from the character and setting of the protected structure."
Local Independent councillor Derek Keating welcomed the board's decision, saying the site was "totally inappropriate" for the proposed development.
"Clearly Mr Mansfield has ambitious plans for the aerodrome but they are not in the best interests of the local community, nor the local authority.
"For future developments there is a message there; he needs to revise his plan accordingly."
Mr Mansfield was unavailable for comment yesterday.
