Objection lodged with planners re: Dublin Parlour

Approved by Dublin City Council in February, the plans involve using stacks of old or recycled containers to create a market space alongside The O2 arena that would also double as an open air concert space. The market is due to open on May 29.

The area will also house a 57 metre ferris wheel, similar to the London Eye or the Wheel of Belfast.

According to a report in Wednesday's Irish Times, which has subsequently been confirmed by Hot Press, an objection has been lodged with the planners on behalf of The O2 venue, by Amphitheatre Ireland Limited, described in the Irish Times as "the Live Nation vehicle that operates the O2."

"That was a curious explanation of Live Nation's role," one industry insider told Hot Press. "Amphitheatre Ireland Ltd is the company that owns The O2 and the company is owned 50% by Live Nation and 50% by Harry Crosbie. Far from being merely operators of The O2, Live Nation are in fact 50% owners of the facility and were the principle drivers in every stage of the redevelopment of the venue as The O2 – so categorizing them as 'operators' seems very strange."

In a twist that makes the case unusual, the promoter of the new scheme, Harry Crosbie, is in fact Chairman of Amphitheatre Ireland Ltd and thus, on the face of it, on both sides of the tussle. However, industry sources have also indicated that Live Nation almost certainly has a casting vote in the event of conflict, which would explain Live Nation’s effective control over all matters of an operational nature at The O2.

The objection, lodged by Amphitheatre Ireland Ltd, argues that the planned development will detract from the architectural and historical merit of the northern facade of The O2. However, Hot Press understands that the main issue for Amphitheatre Ireland Ltd is that the proposed containers would be 5 metres away from The O2 on the northern side – which is one of the three sides through which patrons gain access to and leave the venue – instead of a preferred 10 metres.

The plans position the containers, which are themselves three metres deep, five metres away from the facade of the building. However, a 'sterile area' of a further seven metres has been imposed by the authorities, to allow fire access, positioning the market stalls at least fifteen metres from the front of the building.

Hot Press understands that an alternative plan has been proposed by Amphitheatre Ireland, which they believe would be more economical with space, positioning the containers ten metres away from the façade – space which would apparently be sufficient in itself to deal with fire access.

Live Nation have declined to comment on the dispute. "The decision is An Bord Planeála's to make and we're very comfortable with that," a spokesman said. "We think that there is a way of doing this which would be more sympathetic to the building, but whatever decision is made we will respect that and carry on."