Bray housing development in jeopardy as Department flags concerns over cost of access bridge
The Wicklow PeopleHousing Minister James Browne has confirmed his department is willing to review a funding application for a development on a crucial, council-owned site in Bray, which councillors want to see developed for social and affordable housing.
Some 10 acres in size, as far back as June 2022 the National Development Finance Agency in conjunction with the Department of Housing had earmarked the Rehills site for up to 120 homes.
The site is significant as it is the only land bank in council ownership that could help to address the growing demand for housing in the town.
In May 2025 architect Michael Stack and senior engineer Helena Fallon gave a detailed presentation to district councillors on proposals for the housing development.
They advised members that plans are subject to change during the planning process.
The current plans include a mix of affordable, social and age friendly developments in a mix of a houses and apartments, to be rolled out in three phases.
Phase one would see the construction of 140 units in total, all five storeys in height.
A playground would be developed at the northwest of the site and the floodplain area would be landscaped with no permanent structures built on it. It is also proposed to develop a bridge for access to the site, subject to funding.
Pedestrian access will be looked at during phase two of the development, while the floodplains won’t be affected.
An environmental assessment will also be carried during phase three before planning is sought to begin construction.
However, the project was dealt a blow after district councillors were told during their November monthly meeting that funding from the Department would not be forthcoming.
It’s after Wicklow County Council chief executive Emer O’ Gorman noted in her October monthly report that a stage one funding application had been submitted to the Department, which was awaiting approval.
Following correspondence with Wicklow TD John Brady Minister Browne indicated the department had concerns about the initial application.
“My Department received a funding application from Wicklow County Council to construct 140 new social homes at the Rehills site in Bray in June 2025.”
“Upon review, my Department stated its significant concerns about the high overall costs, particularly abnormal costs, primarily relating to the provision of a vehicular access bridge.”
Minister Browne explained his department wrote to Wicklow County Council in October 2025 to inform them that their application for funding may not be approved in its current form.
“The letter also recommended that the council should liaise with the Housing Activation Office to explore alternative funding options for the bridge.”
“The department also indicated that it is willing to consider a revised submission in respect of the housing element of the scheme separate from the vehicular access bridge and remain available to work with the council to develop a viable housing solution for the Rehills site.” he added.
The site has been discussed for years as a key part of local housing plans and that the proposal included a carefully balanced mix of social, affordable, and age-friendly homes designed to meet the needs of a broad range of people within the community.