Duggans Step Back From Newtown Development

Bawn House still standing…

t had been a long time coming but the Duggans finally got the greenlight for their Newtown main street development in February of this year.

Wicklow County Council gave the nod for a restaurant and apartments on the derelict site that was once PB O’Byrne’s grocery shop and Bawn House.

Also approved for demolition is the neighbouring Bawn Mews.

But there was trouble ahead, as that planning approval was appealed, with the parties involved in the battle made up of H.T. Carroll Ltd, Sarah Fanning, The Heritage Council, Newtown Community Forum and An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

In May, the planning approval was approved again, this time by An Coimisiún Pleanála. And now, in a surprise move, the Duggans have put the site up for sale.

The plans are for a mixed-use development comprising a new restaurant (257 square metres), and 21 apartments across four blocks: block one: eight apartments (two one-beds, six two-beds); block two: eight apartments (eight two-beds); block three: three apartments (three one-beds); block four: two apartments (two one-beds), with the conversion/-xtension of Bawn House. The proposals also include a new vehicular entrance, 12 parking spaces, ESB substation, refuse/bicycle stores, communal open spaces and landscaping.

It was back in August 2022 that our bestie, Conor Duggan, applied for planning at the site (situated just beside The Parkview Hotel), his family having created and transformed some of Bray’s finest drinking emporiums, including The Harbour Bar, The Martello, Platform Pizza, Frank Duffs and the recently-opened Conlon’s Wine Bar, plus the self-service Firefly hotel. They also appear to have a big hand in Daata, Conor cutting the ribbon on their new George’s Street outlet in December.

Daata’s George’s Street opening

So, expectations have been high for their latest development, Duggan having pointed out back in 2022 that he saw a lot of similarities between Bray and Newtown, with the latter very much “up and coming“, thanks in part to the many new housing developments popping up.

If you are thinking of buying this major chunk of Newtown, the main objections to the development included the lack of parking on the main street, along with the need to maintain the character of the village.

The February greenlight decision came with 17 conditions, which you can find over on the Wicklow Planning website here, case no.2460778, along with the ACP appeal case PL27.500683 here.