Opposition mounts to mansion project

Date Published: 10-Oct-2008

LOCAL opposition is mounting to proposals by a millionaire city businessman to refurbish a house at Knocknacarra and build a massive extension — complete with a swimming pool and private leisure centre — that would result in a nine-fold increase in its existing size.

Auctioneer John O’Dolan and his wife Eileen hope to transform a two-storey house into a luxurious three-storey home at their lands at Lough Rusheen on the Barna Road.

They sought permission to increase the size of the house from an existing floor space of 105.4 metres squared to a 945.1 metres squared house on the 8.8 hectare site. The architects’ drawings that accompany the planning application show that Mr O’Dolan intends to build a swimming pool, plunge pool, sauna, steam room, gym, snooker room and garage at basement level in the extension.

Plans for the ground floor extension include a large entrance hall, kitchen, dining room, utility room, toilet and pantry while the first floor includes four en-suite bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes, including a master bedroom.

It is proposed that the existing structure adjoining the luxury extension would be …