Delgany Field Gets A Second Chance

The Glebe site SUN22OCT23

ike most people, it seems, we’ve just about given up caring about planning decisions around here.

Mainly because Greystones and Delgany has been pummelled into submission and way out of shape far too many times for anyone to feel the madness anymore.

So, the bould Durkan lad finally getting his wicked way with the demolition of Gorteen House – after many an attempt – didn’t exactly result in riots on Bellevue Hill. John McDonald was heard to mutter, “Fecker”, and that was about it.

Ditto the extra houses at Struan Hill and Kingstone Manor, or all the small fry, such as Clare Corrigan and Emmet Creighton getting planning in September 2022 for a 1-acre Blackberry Lane site right at the Three Trout River, only for it to turn up for sale on Dooley’s books a year later. A move that’s known locally as Cherry picking.

We charted most of the Delgany planning shenanigans one year ago, and not all that much seems to have changed. Although An Bord Pleanála finally being nutuered does offer a glimmer of hope for future planning decisions in this neck of the incredibly shrinking woods.

And now, an appeal by Tack (Packaging) Ltd to extend the An Bord Pleanála planning approval on land directly across the main road from Delgany’s Christ Church has been refused by Wicklow County Council.

The original planning application was for the demolition of the existing cottage and house on the site along with the construction of 5 three-storey houses, 3 two-storey houses, two roadside commercial units with parking, and two own-door two-storey apartments.

Which would have made the perfect double-act with the planned Honeybrook Cottage metropolis just across the road.

Delgany Community Council’s mock-up of Honeybrook plans

That early Glebe application was later reduced to knocking down just the house, and 6 homes being built, An Bord Pleanála returning a split decision in 2018 – allowing for the demolition of the two-storey house, and the construction of three homes. More of which here.

So, for now, one of those rarest of Delgany phenomena, a field, has gotten a second shot at remaining green for a little while longer.

Seems inevitable, of course, that houses will come. And they’ll most likely arrive with little fanfare, fuss or fight.