A controversial visitor centre, planned for the Dublin Mountains, will not have an adverse impact on protected wildlife and habitats.
That's according to a new survey as part of proposals for the development at the Hellfire Club.
This plan by South Dublin County Council involves spending €19 million on a visitor centre, shop, walkers' lounge and changing facilities at the popular Hellfire Club near Rathfarnham.
Coillte and the Dublin Mountain Partnership are also involved in the project.
But a number of groups, including local residents, are opposed to the proposal, which has been described as a vanity project.
The new Environmental Impact Assessment report was carried out following concerns from An Bord Pleanala about the impact it would have on Merlin, a bird of prey in the area.
The planners also said they were not satisfied the increased visitor numbers would not negatively affect protected habitats in the area.
However the council says the new report has concluded that the centre would not adversely affect the integrity of the Wicklow Mountains Special Protection Area, according to the Herald.
The local authority acknowledged measures were needed to prevent an impact on the species of bird.
It also says that a three-fold increase in visitors would not result in significantly more people accessing protected heaths.
