South Dublin Councillors have blocked plans to rezone 100 acres of land near Lucan for a residential development even though the land owner offered 184 acres of free land in return for permission.

The land, on the banks of the River Liffey, is the proposed site for a development of more than 1,100 affordable homes but the application to have the area rezoned has been opposed as Councillors say the land should be preserved for a national park.

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The management of South Dublin County Council had proposed that 99 acres of the Liffey Valley land should be rezoned from high amenity to residential and developed by the Affordable Homes Partnership. Seventy per cent of the proposed 1,600 homes were to be sold as affordable housing.

In exchange for the rezoning of the land, the owners Ballymore Properties, would donate 184 acres of land to the council.

Councillors believe, however, that rezoning the land is "wholly undesirable" as the Office of Public Works had recommended the area be developed a national park.

(VB/JM)