RTÉ is to face strong opposition from Donnybrook residents to plans for a €350m redevelopment of its Montrose campus. An oral hearing on the so-called "Project 2025" overhaul is due to be held by the planning-appeals board sometime around October, but local residents – including businessman Dermot Desmond and the German ambassador – are already voicing their objections.

"Residents in this area are understandably upset at this massive development," said Dr Mike McKillen, who lives beside the 13.5-acre campus. "It is far in excess of what RTÉ need. We believe it is their game plan to let out a lot of those offices that they are going to build. It is gross, inappropriate and in total contradiction to the residential conservation plan that exists in our area."

McKillen, a senior lecturer in the biochemistry department at Trinity College Dublin, also said the construction process itself would upset residents. "The noise of this will be going on for 10 years, that is how long construction will take, and it is ridiculous. It will be incessant for a decade. These buildings will be at our back gardens and it is totally inappropriate. It is all pie in the sky. We are waiting for an announcement of when the hearing will be set, but so far we have heard nothing on this."

Another local, who did not wish to be named, said neighbouring houses would not benefit visually from the plans.

"It's not like we are even going to get the front view of the fancy new buildings. Instead we will be looking at things like the boilers and the backs of 13-storey buildings which will turn out to be nothing more than a massive eyesore for us."

Neighbours in the Nutley Avenue and Ailesbury Road area are now in the process of holding meetings on the subject in order to prepare for the oral hearing.

Also objecting to the plans are Dermot Desmond, the German embassy and An Taisce.

According to a 16-page objection, Desmond believes the new structures will be "intrusive... I am entitled to be protected from insensitive and inappropriate development and am entitled to expect that all necessary measures will be introduced so as to minimise the impact on this property."

If An Bord Pleanála decides in favour of the project, construction would begin in 2012. The project would see the building of a new broadcasting facility, incorporating new studios for both TV and radio. A new auditorium for RTÉ's orchestras would also be built.

Local councillors are demanding that a section of land be made available for a new primary school.

Speaking previously about the project, RTÉ director general Cathal Goan said, "to remain competitive and to continue to give Irish viewers, listeners and web users the best possible services, we have to invest in new facilities built for the digital age".

Unfair city? Neighbours 'fed up' with soap set

Phelan's shop and Doyle's Garage in Carrigstown could join the long list of Irish businesses closing down if RTÉ fails to secure permission to continue shooting its Fair City soap on its Donnybrook campus.

RTÉ has been forced to apply for permission for use of the Fair City sets after a temporary permission granted by Dublin City Council expired, and the Sunday Tribune understands that at least one individual is in the process of lodging an objection to Dublin City Council. According to the resident, whose back garden borders the set, "RTÉ are making a mockery of planning regulations by saying the Fair City set is temporary. They have been there for over 17 years and I am lodging an objection to their application. I am fed up of hearing and seeing filming practically in my back yard."

RTÉ has applied for permission for 10 years, indicating it does not expect an imminent move of the production areas to a new broadcasting facility in the proposed overhaul of the campus.

Another local said issues arose with neighbouring residents when new structures were erected. "Sometimes they add new bits of buildings and bits and pieces to the set and that can be annoying, as it's not exactly the prettiest thing, the back of these cardboard stands, to be looking out at every day."

Those objecting to the ongoing use of the sets have until 27 July to do so.