DEVELOPER HARRY Crosbie's proposal to build a no-star 194-bed hotel to the rear of Vicar Street music venue in Dublin's Liberties has been challenged by local residents.

The residents of Michael Mallin House on Vicar Street, Dublin 8 have appealed planning permission for the hotel to An Bord Pleanála saying there are a lot of older people living in the flats and it is upsetting for them "that they will be overlooked every day by the hotel guests".

Harry Crosbie was granted planning permission earlier this month to build an eight-storey hotel with 1,285sq m (13,832sq ft) of space. As well as 194 bedrooms, he is proposing to build a creative art studio.

The residents say they fear that the terraced area of the restaurant for smokers on the seventh floor will cause disturbance. They are concerned about the increase in traffic, given that there are 43 children living in two blocks of flats. They are also concerned about a potential increase in anti-social behaviour.