The Cosgrave Group has failed to secure planning permission to demolish the Howth Lodge Hotel in Howth and construct 102 apartments in a five-storey building with a penthouse. Cosgrave had planned to provide 130 spaces in an underground car park, along with 41 spaces at surface level.

However, An Bord Pleanala ruled that the height, scale, bulk and "monolithic form" of the proposed building would be out of character with the pattern of development in the area. It also held that the apartment block would depreciate property values and contravene zoning rules for the area.

Cosgraves bought the 50-bedroom hotel more than two years ago for £8 million.

In Ballsbridge, the Madigan Group has also been refused permission by the planning appeals board to demolish the Horse Show House bar at Merrion Road and replace it with a four-storey building which would have included a bar and offices.