Industry News

Credit: Darmody Architects

Howth Castle is set for a huge makeover with a €10 million plan submitted for its redevelopment.

In a joint application, WSHI Ltd. and the Michal J Wright Group submitted planning permission to Dublin’s Fingal County Council which could see the historic site transformed into a tourist hotspot.

The plan includes major restoration works alongside refurbishments and the construction of new buildings.

The development proposes the demolitions of some farm buildings as well as converting both the castle’s ground floors and the stable areas from primarily residential use to hospitality and tourist retail use.

In the stable area, a 150-seat glass pavilion restaurant is planned alongside both gin-making and cookery schools.

On the ground floor of the stable yard, a number of artisan retail stores are envisioned.

Meanwhile, within the main castle building, there are plans to change the use of the upper ground floor into tea rooms and a reception area.

On the lower ground floor, there will be a conversion of rooms to tea rooms, kitchens and storage areas.

No further works or changes have been made for the other floors of the castle other than a fire upgrade.

On the castle grounds and within the renowned walled gardens, there are intentions to construct a garden centre, a falconry and petting farm as well as picnic and play amenities

The erection of a temporary marquee and ancillary facilities for wedding events is also in current plans.

A pedestrian entrance is planned to open from The Howth Road along with schemes for 6km of walks and cycleways through the estate which aim to link Sutton and Howth.

These works will all be undertaken by a single management company which will cover the castle, the stable areas and attendant lands.

In a statement announcing the planning application, the Michael J Wright Group assured that the National Transport Museum will remain in the heart of the new development.

The project promises the creation of 150 new jobs when the redevelopment is completed, with 100 jobs during the construction phase.

Tetrarch Capital has owned the Howth Castle Estate since 2019 with the Michael J Wright Group now taking a 25-year lease.

The plans were submitted to the County Council on January 31 2022.

Credit: AO VIsuals

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) has approved the €23 million extension of the Beacon Hospital.

This development will see the demolition of the existing eight-storey Beacon Hotel, which was purchased by the hospital from John Malone’s MHL Collection hotel group in 2020.

It will include 70 new hospital beds as well as A&E facilities, oncology facilities and associated in-patient treatment rooms.

Ancillary administration offices and a staff and patient café are also in the proposed development plans.

In a report lodged with the application in August 2021, it was claimed that the private hospital was expecting to see 56,375 inpatient nights that year – a 30% increase from 2016.

Senior planner Orla Casey of Tom Phillips + Associates stated that the current design has “sought to balance the residential requirements of future occupants, patients
and staff in line with sustainable transport objectives, with the minimisation of any potential
impacts on the amenities of adjoining residential properties”.

On January 24, the DLCRR gave the green light to the extension, concluding that the development will not “detract from the amenities of the area and is consistent with the provisions of the current Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Plan”.

The go-ahead was granted despite numerous objections lodged, including by the 70 owners and tenants of the neighbouring Beacon One apartment complex.

Beacon One Management CLG had previously lodged an objection in September soon after planning applications were submitted.

Another submission was put forward in early January.

In the objections addressed to the local council, Beacon One Management CLG relayed their argument that their clients were not consulted on the proposed extension.

Brendan Buck, a director at BPS, affirmed that the development would make it impossible for his clients to access their apartments through the old hotel building — which clients had fought for in the High Court in 2019.

In another submission, Steven and Brid Ann Dag affirmed that the development would negatively impact their tenants both during and after construction work.

“Our tenant works from home and it is hard to see how he will be able to continue to work or even stay in the apartment with the level of noise, vibration and dust resulting from the proposed development work,” they said.

“The impact of noise and vibration will be intolerable for the tenant.”