The 2016 permission, which is the standard five years in duration is due to expire in December.

Works that were due to be done in early 2020 had to be put off to earlier this year, it is claimed. The court heard that due to the moratorium on building projects arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic, construction on the development experienced delays from March-April of 2020 onwards. The proposed development also includes two gallops, a parade circuit, an equine pool, an agriculture shed, access roads and a car park.

They secured permission to develop a three-story stable building, which will include a veterinary clinic, 36 dorm rooms, a viewing area on the second floor and horse boxes. In 2016, the applicants secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to develop a “centre of excellence for equine breeding and training” on lands that had formerly been a golf course. The court heard the Leixlip-based developers need the planning permission extended so they can complete development, which will cost more than €7 million to build, at lands located adjacent to the Kilternan Hotel, in south Co Dublin. The action has been brought by the facility’s developers Nijinsky Property Co Ltd and businessman Luke Comer. A High Court challenge has been brought against Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown’s Co Council’s refusal to extend the duration of a planning permission granted for works at a state-of -the-art equestrian facility.

Equestrian challenge