GALWAY-born property developer Luke Comer is challenging a decision to turn down his plans for an equine centre of excellence at the site of the former Kilternan Hotel in south Co Dublin.

The Comer Group bought the partially built hotel in 2014 for a price believed to be in the region of €7 million. According to planning documents, Comer was planning to convert the hotel into an equine centre of excellence incorporating 160 stables over two levels with a lift, a 1.6km gallop, track viewing areas on the second floor, a parade ring, an equine swimming pool and 36 studio and dormitory rooms on the third floor.

Comer is a licensed trainer and a well-known figure on the Irish racing and bloodstock scene. Through its ownership of Palmerstown House Estate, the Comer Group sponsors the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

Palmerstown House Estate, a hotel and golf course located in Johnstown, Co Kildare, next to Goffs Bloodstock, was originally built in 1872 and had to be completely rebuilt in 1923 after a fire destroyed the building during the Civil War. It was purchased by US heiress Ann Bulitt Brewster in 1956 who sold the property to the late Jim Mansfield in 1999. The Comer Group purchased the property in 2013 for more than €8 million.

According to a report in the Sunday Independent newspaper, the Comer Group have spent over €75 million on properties in Ireland, the UK and Germany in the last six months, with a further €200 million expected to be spent within the next 18 months.

The Comer brothers, Luke and Brian, were listed at number 14 on the Ireland’s wealthiest people list earlier this year, with their worth estimated at €175 million.