The seafront, Victorian-style home was put on the market by estate agents HJ Byrne last December with a guide price of €1.295m.
A sale agreed sign was erected at the property, known as Montebello, in March with the Property Price Register confirming the sale closed on July 16, meeting the guide price.
The move to put the property on the market came five months after An Coimisiún Pleanála dismissed planning permission to then owner, Rachel Carthy, to convert the property into five apartments.
WCC first refused permission on the grounds that “it would be out of character with the streetscape and would intrude on views of the protected structures in the vicinity of the site”.
The council believed the development would “adversely affect the architectural character of the seafront area”, and contravened objectives set out in the now expired Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan.
The new application, lodged in the name of Jane Hughes and David Lynch on October 15, proposes the removal of the non-original front porch of Montebello, and the provision of two new bay windows to the front. They also seek to remove the non-original rear conservatory and replace it with a single-storey sunroom extension.
Permission is also being sought for a single-storey side extension, a single-storey rear side extension and the removal of the existing rear garden room.
The planning section of WCC are also being asked to consider allowing the installation of a commemorative plaque for the late musician to the front boundary wall of the property.
In documents submitted to the planning section of the local authority, officials from Irish Rail highlighted how the Railway Safety Act 2005, which places an obligation on any third party working near the railway to ensure no danger or hazard is posed to railway operations.
Due to the proximity of this site to the railway corridor, which sits behind the property, the railway operator believes the applicants “must take due consideration of this obligation during the planning and construction of the development”.
In a lengthy submission, Irish Rail also highlighted several other issues that would need to be addressed before planning is approved.
“The existing boundary treatment and the masonry wall between the development site and the railway corridor must not be altered without prior consent from Iarnród Éireann.
“It is imperative that the railway always remains inaccessible to prevent trespassing, both during the construction phase and in the future. This includes safeguarding against unauthorised access, especially through scaffolding or any other means.
“The developer may not undermine the integrity of the embankment adjacent the development. Iarnród Éireann has an obligation to maintain these embankments.
“Lights from the proposed development, either during the construction phase or when the development is completed, should not cause glare or in any way impair the vision of train drivers or personnel operating on track machines.
“No deciduous trees are to be planted directly along the railway boundary as they can impair the vision of train drivers or their views of signals. falling leaves and / or leaf litter on rails can adversely affect the operation of trains by causing poor wheel / rail adhesion.”
They also said that the cutting of large trees along the boundary presents a significant risk due to their proximity to the railway line and the Dart line’s electric cables.
Trees falling can cause serious incidents and safety hazards. Given these considerations, Irish Rail believe any tree-cutting project “must be approached with caution and meticulous planning”.
The railway operator believes their observations prioritise railway operational safety and advise that these points are communicated to the applicant. Officials believe these considerations should be incorporated as a condition of planning approval if the application is successful.
Separately Rory Kissane made a submission on behalf Ms Ceceline Power, who resides in the existing three-storey home directly north of the proposed development. She is strongly objecting the proposed side sun room extension, feeling it would result in the blocking of two of the existing windows on the southern gable of her property, along with the substantial works needed on drainage and cabling infrastructure.
Ms Power has expressed her satisfaction and approval in principle with much of the proposed works to the existing property as presented to the planning authority and welcomes the proposed refurbishment.
Ms Power in her submission indicated there were no discussions in advance of the application being lodged and there has been no consideration given to the existing windows which will result in considerable loss of light and established amenity by way of blocking up of windows.
She has requested that the proposed side extension to the front to be is removed from being granted permission.
The local authority has asked the applicants Jane Hughes and David Lynch to clarify these points of reference before they issue their final ruling.
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