The developer behind an ambitious Dublin apartment scheme, on the site of a former monastery, has said it will push ahead with the proposals if full planning permission is granted.

Twinlite said it intends to build the project at Mount Argus provided the planning appeals board gives it the green light.

Over 200 apartment will potentially be constructed in five blocks at the Passionist site, as well as a community centre.

Provisional planning permission was granted by Dublin City Council in July, however objections to the proposals have been lodged with the planning appeals board.

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An Bord Pleanala will now assess the application and give its verdict.

According to one Twinlite director, work could start as early as next year.

Rick Larkin, whose firm bought the 5.7 acre Mount Argus site last year March for an estimated €20m, conceded that any progress will be subject to planning approval.

Units within the scheme could be on sale by late 2010, a Twinlite spokesman added.

The firm is also behind €100m plans to build an indoor ski resort and sports facility at Tyrrelstown in Dublin.

A review into the plans is expected to be heard next month, after Fingal County Council ruled against the proposals.

According to Twinlite, funding is in place for the development, but the scheme is subject to being granted permission and to the building of the N2/N3 link road, which Fingal County Council has not started building yet.

The firm originally said it hoped construction at the project would commence in spring 2009, with the first visitors taking to the slopes in Autumn 2010.

(PR/BMcC)