Planning permission has been granted for a 210-bed, co-living development in Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's Dublin West constituency.

Property developer, Bartra has been given permission to build a five-story, co-living development on the site of Brady's pub in Castleknock.

The company, which bought the site last year, lodged plans with An Bord Pleanála for 182 rooms with 210 beds. The development will include communal living areas, TV rooms, a gym, library, laundrette and roof terrace.

An Bord Pleanála did not accept its own inspectors recommendation to refuse permission finding the location was "in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development in the area".

The board found the development would provide an "acceptable form of residential amenity for future occupants" and would not "seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area".

It said the site's location was close to the centre of Blanchardstown, Connolly Hospital and Castleknock train station.

Permission has been granted on the condition that each bedroom contains a kitchen with a cooking hob. The board said this was to provide a "satisfactory standard of residential amenity for occupants".

Both the Taoiseach and Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy have previously defended the co-living model saying it would not replace houses and apartments but would provide another accommodation option, particularly for single people.

A number of local representatives had objected to the co-living development including Mr Varadkar's Fine Gael running mate in the next election, Councillor Emer Currie.

Cllr Currie said she was "shocked" the development had been been given planning approval.

"The concept of co-living is for urban locations with strong transport links and that would appeal to a mobile workforce. This location, in my opinion, is completely at odds with the vision of co-living."