Former Today FM presenter, Mairead Ronan, has had to put plans for a refurbishment and extension of her holiday home in Waterford on hold following objections from several local residents, including two of her neighbours.

Four appeals have been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála against the recent decision of Waterford City and County Council to grant planning permission to the broadcaster and her husband, Louis, for the partial demolition and two-storey extension for their end-of-terrace home in Dunmore East, Co Waterford.

All of the objectors are other residents of the picturesque Waterford village including two close neighbours

Waterford City and County Council approved the planning application by the Ronans after they had scaled back their plans for the refurbishment and extension of a design by the Room to Improve architect, despite a recommendation from the council’s conservation officer that planning permission be refused.

The updated plans, which sees the number of bedrooms being reduced from five to four, will still result in the proposed development having more than three times the existing floor space.

The appeals represent the latest setback for the couple as An Coimisiún Pleanála previously rejected their plans for works to their holiday home in Dunmore East because of the scale of the proposed development which the Commission believed would adversely impact the special character of the village’s Architectural Conservation Area.

 

 

 

The ruling in November 2023 arose from successful appeals by one of the current objectors against the council’s decision to grant planning permission for a larger extension than the one currently being proposed.

Consultants for the Ronans said their existing holiday home in Dunmore East is notably small in terms of floor area.

“It is essential for the applicant to expand same in order to facilitate a modern family home,” they added.

The consultants claimed the latest plans seek to overcome the reason for the previous refusal by the planning appeals authority by proposing a new extension design involving a reduced scale, massing and bulk.

However, concerns raised by the appellants include the negative impact which the proposed development would have on the streetscape and character of the area.

They argue that the plans would essentially result in an additional house which is too big as well as claiming that a proposed first floor terrace would overlook other properties.

One local resident, Patrick Cregg, said Dunmore East was a village of valuable architectural heritage but the proposed development was “not designed to be discreet” and would “clearly distort this 200-year-old heritage site.”

The couple’s neighbour, Tom O’Regan, complained that the proposed “extension” would dominate the character of the modest original property.

He claimed “shoehorning” a holiday home into a modest site was “not appropriate.”

Mr O’Regan added: “It will not be in harmony with the surroundings, excess in scale on its own footprint and over-dominant on the existing terrace and general area.”

A ruling by An Coimisiún Pleanála on the appeal is due before the end of May.

 

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