Plans to build more than 530 homes in Dublin have been refused by An Bord Pleanala.

Permission had previously been granted earlier this year to develop 432 apartments and 104 houses at St Paul's College, Sybil Hill Road, Raheny.

However, residents had protested against the decision as the facility is used as playing pitches for children and teenagers.

Welcoming the decision, Labour's representative for Dublin Bay North, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, said: "I have been campaigning against development on this land for three years with local community groups and residents' associations.

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"These lands contain much needed local sports facilities and playing pitches which have always been considered part of St Anne's Park.

"The development of eight storey apartment blocks would have had a devastating effect on the environmental integrity of this much loved green lung of the North Side.

"These lands being zoned Z15 meant that they are completely inappropriate for large scale development. This decision which follows High Court Judicial review taken by the local community vindicates absolutely the opposition to this plan.

"I am delighted that An Bord Pleanála have seen sense and I will continue to fight for appropriate housing development on the North Side."

(LM/CM)