Foxhunter site development looks increasingly perilous

The prime retail location beside the N4 was mired in complicated legal-contractual problems during a tumultuous year.

Avoca – which was sold to US multinational Aramark in November – were prevented from moving in due to a “legal-contractual” issue.

A recent announcement that Avoca plan to open a new shop in Dunboyne, Co Meath, was a further blow to the potential development in Lucan.

Avoca managing director Simon Pratt could not be reached for comment by The Echo over the last week to confirm reports – fuelling speculation that the company have decided to cut their losses at a site that has been mired in ownership complications.

South Dublin County Council confirmed they understand the site was sold recently and are trying to establish the identity of the new owner.

Last July, South Dublin County Council wrote a letter to “whom the council believes are the owners” of the former Foxhunters Pub – requesting works be carried out to prevent the site becoming derelict.

The project was put further into jeopardy at the end of July when an unknown person or persons, lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála, stating the development should not be considered “exempted development.”

Avoca previously told The Echo they never envisaged “getting into a mess”.

At the time, Avoca MD Simon Pratt said the company wanted “nothing more than to resolve the issues” and “if we can’t, it would be a real shame.”

Regarding ownership of the site, Mr Pratt said discussions were “complicated” and the company was not in a position to discuss it.

The Foxhunter closed its doors in 2012 and was put in the hands of receivers, five years after it was bought for a reported price of €17 million in 2007.