Today is D-Day for Frank O’Malley’s latest attempt to develop the Chester Beatty site on Shrewsbury Road. City manager John Tierney is due to decide the fate of O’Malley Homes’ sixth attempt to secure planning for the prime Ballsbridge site by close of business today.

O’Malley has been embroiled in a nine-year planning battle with residents on Shrewsbury Road to develop the one-acre site he bought for €14 million in 1999 when the library moved to Dublin Castle.

In 2006 he got permission to build seven apartments in two blocks. Now the company wants to build seven three-storey houses. The good folk of Shrewsbury are legendary in their resistance to development. But the locals seem divided on what’s suitable for O’Malley’s site. Stephen McKenzie says in his objection to the council that “one or two family homes set in generously landscaped grounds” would be appropriate for the site. Michael Maughan, on behalf of the Shrewsbury Road Residents Association, says three large detached houses would meet with the approval of his members.

Residents will be bolstered by the news that Niall O’Farrell of Black Tie has been thwarted in his attempt to do a two-for-one job at No 28, the house he purchased for €7.5 million.