The officials and advisers of the Department of Education and Science entered into a period of intense discussions with Jarvis with a view to reaching financial close on the project. During this period Jarvis, under the terms of the project, sought and received planning permission for the project from Cork City Council. However, An Taisce, as it was entitled to do, submitted a planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the grant of permission. During the period of the appeal, work on the project was suspended and resumed only after An Bord Pleanála rejected the appeal and granted planning permission for the development on 24 December 2001.