99 Houses No Longer A Stylebawn Problem?

The initial plans for Stylebawn House MAR22

he Ronan Group’s plans to build 141 dwellings at the site of Stylebawn House in Delgany have been given a body blow today by Wicklow County Council.

Originally zoned for just 12 houses, one of the two planning applications on the central village property has just been given the thumbs down.

Wicklow planning refused the first application for 42 residential units (#22380) on the grounds that it was too many houses, and that such a development would involve the destruction of too many trees, increase the risk of flooding along the Three Trout River, plus poor apartment design and insufficient protection of Stylebawn House, a protected structure.

So, if WCC have rejected 42 dwellings as too many, surely the second, pre-validation application for 99 (#22429) will meet a similar fate?

Reacting to the planning refusal, Cllr Derek Mitchell said, “I objected for the above reasons and am glad it has been refused. I would like the developer to apply for a much smaller development in keeping with the sylvan setting, but I suspect he may appeal this refusal to look for more houses.”

Speaking on today’s ruling as she arrived home from her holiday in Spain, Delgany Community Council’s Alice O’Donnell said, “Feck, YEAH!“.

Actually, tell a lie, this is what the woman had to say: “Delgany Community Council is encouraged to see a good decision from Wicklow County Council although this may just be the first hurdle as we expect an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

“The reasons cited for refusal were all flagged by us in our community submission which was drafted by our planner, Brendan Buck. Huge thanks to the 84 people who donated to raise the money required to lodge two strong objections. We are also very grateful to locals who made personal submissions and shared their expertise to strengthen our submission.

“We are optimistic and hope to see a revised plan for this key site, one that respects heritage and environment, a plan that the community can support and one that the developer can be proud of. DCC is ready to engage with the developer in order to make that happen.”

You can check out details of the application, and the reaction of the Delgany community, right here.