An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to a co-living scheme in Dublin, despite a ban on such developments by the Minister for Housing.
Plans for a ban on co-living accommodation were brought in last November by Darragh O'Brien, however it was not signed into law until December 22nd.
Before Mr O'Brien signed the ban into law, MM Capital applied to develop co-living accommodation at the site of Phibsborough shopping centre, according to The Irish Times.
While a circular issued by the Department of Housing regarding the ban was noted by the board's inspector, the scheme was "assessed on its merits" as the application was lodged prior to the ban coming into effect.
The co-living development, which offers ensuite rooms to residents with access to communal kitchen and living facilities, was originally due to have 321 rooms, however in granting permission the board reduced this number to 297.
MM Capital had already gained permission to redevelop the shopping centre two years ago, with the original plan being to provide student accommodation.
However, the company's director Derek Poppingga said the student accommodation stock in Dublin increased substantially in that two-year period, while "there was a huge demand for co-living that had not been met".
