We are appealing for your help to enable us to ensure that whatever development takes place on the Stylebawn site is suitable for the site and complies with the density set in our Local Area Plan.

Two planning applications for the site have been submitted to Wicklow County Council. The Stylebawn site is zoned for development and was previously granted permission for 11 houses in compliance with the local area plan density. This would allow for the site to be developed in a way that is suitable. We would love to see the site opened up again and the house and gardens restored to their former glory.

The two proposals that are now with the council would see 141 units on the site, this is 14 times more than what should be allowed under our Local Area Plan.We believe that this is just not suitable.

The Plans

The documents for the first application (Ref 22380) were uploaded on Tuesday, 18 days after the planning was lodged. This delay has seriously impacted on our ability to respond and our ability to help you out in making your submissions. Therefore we have decided to engage a professional planner to draft our submission. We also plan to engage an ecological expert to add to our submission. We need to raise about €5000 in order to ensure that we cover all the crucial points.

The site is very steep so any construction will see significant earthworks. It is also ecologically sensitive as Three Trouts Stream flows through it. This means that it is just not suited to intense development.

Please support us if you can. Draft points for objection will be circulated to you to help you to draft your own submission and these will be updated once we have our expert input. 

If you are not already on our email database please email [email protected] to be kept updated on all matters related to Delgany. Both planning applications can be viewed online at this link: https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Planning/Planning-Applications/Online-Planning

Further detail on both applications is available below:

Planning Application Reference 22380

This will include two houses and 40 apartments. The apartments are located within a 5 storey block.

The site contains Stylebawn House, a protected structure and Clara House. Clara House is proposed to be demolished to facilitate the proposed development of 40 apartments. Stylebawn is proposed to be retained and repaired following extensive fire damage, being brought back into residential use as a 4 bedroom house. The existing Gardeners Cottage is also proposed to be repaired and brought back into residential use (2 bed house). Submissions are due by May 12th.

Why are we against the proposal?

1-Density:

The LAP criteria specifies a density of 2.5 units per hectare for the subject lands within the residential zoning objective. The gross density for the 40 apartments, within the development area excluding the Stylebawn site (excluding Stylebawn House and gardens )is c. 52 units per hectare.

2-Apartments:

The local Area Plan states that “Apartments are generally only permitted in village centre locations”. This site is outside Delgany village centre.

3-The site:

The topography comprises a steeply undulating site, which drops steeply from towards the centre and rises again to the south. The site has an existing access from the Glen Road. Works to the entrance to achieve safe sightlines are proposed to the entrance. This will result in the loss of existing trees.

4-Loss of mature Trees:

 According to the CMK Arboriculture Assessment & lmpact Report accompanying this application, 204 trees will be removed to facilitate the proposed development. The report tells us that this results in the proposed removal of over two-thirds of trees on site.

5-Flood Risk:

The Three Trouts Stream flows through the site and has a wide flood plain. We are concerned at the potential of damage to this waterway and the wildlife that it supports both during and after construction.

Read more about the history of Stylebawn House here: https://delganyheritagevillage.wicklowheritage.org/places/stylebawn-house-delgany

Planning Application Ref 22429 is still at pre-validation stage. It involves another apartment block (26 apartments) and 73 terraced houses. We will add more detail as it becomes available. Submissions are due by May 26th.