Controversial plans to redevelop Dublin's Hellfire and Massy's Wood forest lands have been approved by An Bord Pleanala.
The €19 million project includes a visitor centre with a cafe, 'ramblers' lounge exhibition facility, a tree canopy walk and new carpark for 275 cars.
It's expected to triple visitor numbers to the popular walking spot in the Dublin Mountains close to Rathfarnham to 300,000 people a year.
The Hellfire Club building, an old hunting lodge dating back to the 1700s, is also to undergo conservation works.
The Save the Hellfire group campaigned against the plan over concerns about the damage to the landscape and wildlife.
It says it's deeply disappointed and shocked by the decision.
An Bord Pleanala have approved Planning Permission for €22m #VanityProject!
We are deeply disappointed and shocked by this decision and will take time now to study the details of the decision and will consider it carefully! #biodiversity #Nature #environment #MondayMorning pic.twitter.com/rJypNRFs3D
— SavetheHellfire (@SavetheHellfire) June 29, 2020
