An Bord Pleanala has granted permission for the development of almost 700 apartments in North Dublin despite Dublin City Council recommending they turn it down.

Residents and local politicians will be fuming after a long campaign to block the site next to St Anne's Park in Raheny.

This week the plans for 657 apartments and a creche were approved despite the council saying it was "not considered to be consistent with the Dublin City Development Plan".

Last month a council report said there were "significant and outstanding biodiversity issues" - they had sought assurances that the development wouldn't affect protected species around the area, in particular Brent geese and curlew at Dublin Bay.

The report added: “The proposed development is not considered to be consistent with the Dublin City Development Plan 2016-2022 and with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

The plans, which were put forward by Crevkav, are on a set of pitches that were formerly used by St Paul's College.

An Bord Pleanala previously approved plans for 104 houses and 432 apartments on the site but a court challenge by a group representing Clontarf residents and environmentalists saw the application sent back to the board.

The board then refused it citing legal issues brought up in the case.

(Image: Getty)

The latest ruling prompted locals to take to social media to blast the decision by An Bord Pleanala.

Local Green Party councillor Donna Cooney said it was a "bad day" for St Anne's Park.

On her Facebook page, she asked: "How's the development plan considered when DCC planners' recommendation of refusal [is] ignored?"

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One follower commented: "This is just awful. The community won't take this lying down."

Another added: "This 'stinks to high heavan'. Let the protests begin!!!"

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A third poster asked Cllr Cooney if this meant that building would begin in St Anne's Park, to which the Clontarf based representative responded: "Yes, to the back of St. Paul's school on the playing fields.

"The lands were sold by the school but they have always formed part of the historic St. Annes park. It's Z15 zoned as the school is to the front facing Sybil road."