Leinster building plans on hold

The Leinster Branch/IRFU may have received the planning permission green light from An Bord Pleanála on September 22nd, but don't expect redevelopment of Donnybrook to get under way soon.

The branch failed to come through the rigorous appeals system without several restrictions being placed on their already revised plans. For starters, planning permission was refused for high-rise apartments at the Old Wesley end of the ground.

No apartments means no income to modernise and increase the capacity of the Dublin 4 stadium.

Leinster's financially enforced switch to the RDS for European Cup games has already been widely reported.

"They didn't like the design of the apartments," explained Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson. "We can get about six stories at that (Wesley) end, but we will probably have to go back to An Bord Pleanála. We have a seven-year planning permission and are putting together a consortium to see where we go, with the current marrying of the RDS, Donnybrook and Lansdowne Road, but nothing will be happening on that front in the short term."

The branch did receive approval to transform Donnybrook into an 11,200-capacity stadium, with 76 apartments at the Bective end of the ground, along with a new, three-storey clubhouse on the River Dodder side that includes a gym, offices, kitchens, a bar and a television and media press box. There will also be a creche, a new viewing stand, six tennis courts, a scrummage area and a river walkway linking Anglesea Bridge with Herbert Park.

Seating for 3,000 people is all that has been made available in the plans, which is deemed an insufficient improvement on the current scenario. The main stand holds 1,100 and there is another 1,100 temporary seating at the Bective end.