Ballynabrocky Manor, Blessington, Co. Wicklow
Proposed development
Retention for a single storey bedroom and bathroom extension which measures 33sq. metres which is located to the northern side of an existing building which already stands on the land and for the retention of the use of this overall structure, whose original section already accommodates a combined kitchen and living room (with boiler adjacent), for tourist and other short-stay accommodation purposes, of up to three months in duration. Permission is also sought for the retention of a well and a secondary sewage treatment system which serves both the existing year-round home on the land and this tourist/short-stay facility and for the provision of a new polishing filter and the use of the garden and parking areas within this site by resident guests
- Applicant
- Not published
- Authority
- Wicklow County Council
- Decision due
- 23 Feb 2023
Timeline
Application received
15 Jun 2022
Council asked for further information
3 Aug 2022
Further information received. If the council treats it as significant, a new submission period opens (check the council's file)
27 Jan 2023
Decision due
23 Feb 2023
Decision: conditional
20 Feb 2023
Grant issued
20 Jun 2024
Appeal decided: conditional (ABP-315956-23)
29 Feb 2024
Site location with nearby applications
Can't object to this one
The council has already decided this application.
See applications open for objections →Keep an eye on this area
We'll email you when new applications are lodged nearby.
Planning history within 750 m
(1) Attic conversion with 2 additional habitable bedrooms and bathroom, roof windows to front and rear of existing roof, (2) single storey porch extension to front, (3) single storey extension to side of existing house, (4) Proposed new pitched roof to side shed and this roof to extend to side gable of house to create canopy with gate to canopy area all with associated ancillary works
Changing the use of the utility building to a single rural dwelling.This involves changing the use of the PC/computer room and the Office into two bedrooms. The Utility room that already has kitchen facilities would become the kitchen and living room. No other changes are needed or works needed.The Office and Computer / PC room were needed before the connection of the observatory to the national broadband fibre network. Now their functions can be carried out remotely. Albeit it needs somebody on-site to physically turn on the telescope and to turn the dome in the observatory. It is hoped that these will become automated in time.The change of use is required because there is an existential risk to the development. There have been multiple security incidents, breaks-ins and trespass on-site, all were reported to the Gardai. They recommended security cameras be installed, but these were subsequently vandalised.It is considered that the site is now known to problematic individuals and that the only solution to the current perils is to have somebody living on site. A change of use might be considered urgent.The development is uninsured due to the unreasonable cost of insurance. If there was somebody living on site, insurance would be available at a reasonable cost. The change of use is also to broaden the usage of the observatory. Having somebody on-site would greatly increase the use of the observatory and it would facilitate broadening its usage to education and community outreach. In particular, the plan would be to have astronomy nights for parents and children in the local school, eventually expanding to other schools in Wicklow and further afield. Further details are given on Form B in the attachments
a change of use of the utility building into a single rural dwelling to facilitate broadening use of the observatory onsite from research usage to research, education and community outreach usage
the development will consist of a change of use of the utility building into a single rural dwelling to facilitate broadening use of the observatory onsite from research usage to research, education and community outreach usage. This is to enable broader access to the astronomical observatory, in particular for school children locally, in County Wicklow, and further afield. The change of use is also primarily to improve security on site following many and various security incidents on site that threaten the existential presence of the observatory. The change of use would result in having somebody on site that would make it possible to obtain adequate insurance for the property to make its existence sustainable
(1) An extension to existing agricultural shed consisting of a slatted area with feed passage and cattle handling facilities and a dungsted. (2) A Calf shed with a slatted area along and silage storage. (3) A hayshed and workshop area along a concrete yard and all associated site works
1. An extension to existing agricultural shed consisting of a slatted area with feed passage and cattle handling facilities and a dungsted. 2. A calf shed with a slatted area along and silage storage. 3. A hayshed and workshop area along a concrete yard and all associated site works