Clarence expansion on hold after objection

Bono, The Edge and businessman Harry Crosbie will have to wait until August before learning whether An Bord Pleanála will give them the go-ahead for a massive expansion of the Clarence Hotel.

Although the trio got planning permission for their redevelopment plans for the hotel from Dublin City Council last February, the owner of a local coffee-shop has now lodged an objection with the board.

Richard Coffey, who runs a business adjacent to the hotel, says the proposed expansion is too high and would seriously impact on the character of the area.

Brushfield Ltd, whose directors are U2's Paul Hewson (Bono) and David Evans (The Edge) and property developer Harry Crosbie, had been given the go-ahead to expand into 9-12 Wellington Quay and 9 Essex Street East.

The company applied for permission to build a seven-storey wing at 8 and 9 Essex Street East, making it the same height as an existing section of the hotel. Nos 9, 11 and 12 Wellington Quay will be changed to hotel use as well.

If built, the hotel would span 11 buildings, most of them protected structures.

Last year planning permission for a larger expansion, including a nine-storey block on East Essex Street, was refused on the grounds that the design would have been "severely uncompromising" and of excessive height.