{"id":179275,"date":"2025-12-07T12:27:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T12:27:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/179275\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T12:27:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T12:27:07","slug":"plans-to-alter-sinead-o-connors-former-home-in-wicklow-queried-by-irish-rail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/179275\/","title":{"rendered":"Plans to alter Sinead O&#8217; Connor\u2019s former home in Wicklow queried by Irish Rail"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The seafront, Victorian-style home was put on the market by estate agents HJ Byrne last December with a guide price of \u20ac1.295m.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The move to put the property on the market came five months after An Coimisi\u00fan Plean\u00e1la dismissed planning permission to then owner, Rachel Carthy, to convert the property into five apartments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">WCC first refused permission on the grounds that \u201cit would be out of character with the streetscape and would intrude on views of the protected structures in the vicinity of the site\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The council believed the development would \u201cadversely affect the architectural character of the seafront area\u201d, and contravened objectives set out in the now expired Bray Municipal District Local Area Plan.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Due to the proximity of this site to the railway corridor, which sits behind the property, the railway operator believes the applicants \u201cmust take due consideration of this obligation during the planning and construction of the development\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">In a lengthy submission, Irish Rail also highlighted several other issues that would need to be addressed before planning is approved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe existing boundary treatment and the masonry wall between the development site and the railway corridor must not be altered without prior consent from Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe developer may not undermine the integrity of the embankment adjacent the development. Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann has an obligation to maintain these embankments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cLights 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cNo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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&#8217;s electric cables.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Trees falling can cause serious incidents and safety hazards. Given these considerations, Irish Rail believe any tree-cutting project \u201cmust be approached with caution and meticulous planning\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">She has requested that the proposed side extension to the front to be is removed from being granted permission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The local authority has asked the applicants Jane Hughes and David Lynch to clarify these points of reference before they issue their final ruling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\"> Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The seafront, Victorian-style home was put on the market by estate agents HJ Byrne last December with a&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179276,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[55175,61,60,43,18097],"class_list":{"0":"post-179275","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-hugh-ofarrell-walsh","9":"tag-ie","10":"tag-ireland","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-sinead-oconnor"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179275"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179275\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179276"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}