Dublin 4 residents have halted plans by RTÉ to relocate the set of the drama series Fair City in Donnybrook.
Two separate appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against the decision by Dublin city council to grant permission for the move.
The national broadcaster is planning to relocate the Carrigstown set as part of its plans to sell 8.64 acres of land on its Montrose site for €107.5 million to Cairn Homes.
The Fair City lot is comprised of 11 separate sets and the planning application provides for a new home for McCoy’s pub, the Hungry Pig, the Dolphin Pod, the community centre, the Helping Hand charity shop and the other locations where the soap is shot.
Peter and Paula Ledbetter, of Nutley Road, and Brian and Elizabeth McDermott have lodged appeals. In their opposition to the plan, the Ledbetters retained Colin McGill of McGill Planning.
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Mr McGill criticised the “unacceptable impacts of the proposed development” in his submission to the city council. He said that the couple were objecting to the proximity of the proposed new set to existing homes on Nutley Road, the visual impact of the development, the noise it would generate and its hours of operation.
He said that the potential impact would be worsened by the proposed removal of 30 trees at the northern boundary that adjoins the rear gardens of homes on Nutley Road.
Mr McGill also lodged an appeal on behalf of the McDermotts. He said that the Fair City set was being relocated to a smaller and restricted site.
When recommending that planning be granted, a city council planner had said that the proposed development would not injure the amenity of property in the vicinity.
The city council has said RTÉ should be allowed to use the set for two nights a week to facilitate extended filming hours, but this arrangement was due to cease after three years so that a full assessment could be made of its impact.
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The city council said night-time filming would then revert to twice a month unless permission was granted for a further period.
A decision is due on the appeals at the end of November this year.