The Irish in Britain, including those of Irish descent, make up a significant part of the UK population. Here, you will find news, entertainment, events, sports and features from the local Irish Post newspaper.

BILLIONAIRE businessman Denis O’Brien has appealed to planning officers in a bid to demolish the exclusive Ballsbridge home he bought last year for ?35million the second highest price ever for a house in Dublin.

After being refused permission by Dublin City Council Mr O’Brien has now applied to An Bord Pleanala for permission to level the Tudor-style property built in 1904.

It boasts an indoor swimming pool, seven bedrooms, sauna and steam room and a putting green on two-thirds of an acre.

Mr O’Brien wants to replace it with a new detached house.

Dublin City Council refused permission on the grounds that the scale, form and design of the existing house contributed to the character of the area on Shrewsbury Road.

The council also said the proposal would conflict with the Dublin City Development Plan 2005-2011 to protect and improve the amenities of residential conservation areas.

Mr O’Brien has now appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanala.

A submission on his behalf to the board says the proposed new home is of a high quality of architectural design and materials and reuses many elements and materials conserved from the existing house.

Mr O’Brien says that the new house will have no negative impact on the character, architectural quality or residential amenity and is also fully compatible with the city development plan.

Mr O’Brien already has several valuable properties in the capital. In 2000 he paid an estimated ?9million for a large detached house also located in Dublin 4.