Bray Seafront Gets Another 99

Artist rendering of Coastguard Terrace development

aving got the thumbs up from Wicklow Planning in February, an appeal was quickly lodged against 99 units being built on Bray’s seafront.

Benduff Ireland Ltd originally submitted plans in July last year for 99 homes across two blocks of five to six storeys on a 0.56-hectare site sitting pretty from Strand Road to Coastguard Terrace lane off Putland Road.

And amongst those objecting were members of the Bray Residents Association and occupants of Coastguard Terrace, none too happy to see three long-standing cottages facing the wrecking ball, but An Coimisiún Pleanála have now given the development the thumbs up.

The original planning application no.2560512 read…

(i) demolition of the existing 3 no. dwellings at Coastguard Terrace and all associated structures including a cabin and shed; (ii) removal of hardstanding to the existing car park and part of the existing retaining wall to the rear of dwellings to be demolished at Coastguard Terrace; (iii) construction of a 99 no. unit residential development, comprising 34 no. one-bedroom apartments, 50 no. two-bedroom apartments and 15 no. three-bedroom apartments, contained within 2 no. Blocks (Blocks A and B). Block A ranges in height from 5-6 storeys and includes a total of 71 no. apartments (23 no. one-bedroom apartments, 37 no. two-bedroom apartments and 11 no. three-bedroom apartments), and 3 no. Commercial units (482.4sq.m) and a 2 storey Creche unit (242.7sq.m) accessed from Strand Road and Coastguard Terrace. Block B ranges in height from 4-6 storeys (5 storeys from ground floor level on Coastguard Terrace) and includes a total of 28 no. apartments (11 no. one-bedroom apartments, 13 no. two-bedroom apartments and 4 no. three-bedroom apartments). All apartment units proposed have access to private amenity space in the form of a balcony/terrace. The proposed development also includes: (iv) provision of bin stores, plant rooms, and bicycle stores and an undercroft car park area, accessible off Strand Road, (v) 82 no. car parking spaces will be provided to serve the development (including 5 no. accessible parking spaces, 16 no. EV car charging spaces) and 8 no. motorcycle spaces, (vi) 259 no. bicycle parking spaces will be provided to serve the development (including 172 no. standard spaces, 9 no. cargo and 78 no. visitor spaces (vii) provision of 2 no. pedestrian access points off Coastguard Terrace via a podium and further pedestrian access points along Strand Road; (viii) provision of an external play area to serve the creche unit (69 sq.m), landscaped communal open space (750sq.m), landscaped public open space (1100sq.m), public realm improvements to the sites Strand Road frontage including external seating areas and bicycle parking (719 sq.m); and (vix) all ancillary site and infrastructural works as necessary to facilitate the proposed development, including, works to retaining wall, foul/surface water drainage and attenuation areas, rain garden, water feature, sprinkler tank, ESB substation, upgrade to existing junction along Strand Road, general landscaping, boundary treatments, and public lighting.

The development includes the existing surface car park off Strand Road along with Coastguard Terrace (A98 V6K7), No.8 Coastguard Terrace (A98 VR92) and No.9 Coastguard Terrace (A98 VX44) off Putland Road.

You can check out the Inspector’s Report and the Order right here, and check out An Coimisiún Pleanála decision on case no.500809 right here.