Clarity sought on plans to develop 15 homes on landmark Wicklow hotel site
The Wicklow PeopleWicklow County Council has asked for further information on a planning application for a development of 15 homes in the heart of the Enniskerry village, which recently made headlines following the closure of the last convenience store which had served the residents for some 200 years.
The plans by Manabard Holdings Ltd look to develop the site located within the Powerscourt Arms Hotel property. The hotel is a landmark building within the area and is where a hotel has stood since the 18th century. The existing hotel building dates from the late 1800s.
However, while it had been a key amenity in the village for many decades, it closed its doors in 2023. A bar operated in part of the ground floor for a period but has that also closed.
The hotel premises, which extends to more than 1,000 square metres, and the grounds where the application site is situated, has since been purchased by the applicant.
In the application, it is stated that the applicant fully intends to reopen the hotel again in the short term, while also offering a food and beverage facility at the ground floor to serve the community.
Internal modifications to bring the hotel and commercial area up to modern standard are currently being prepared – taking on board the protected structure status of the building – and will be the subject of a separate planning application to be submitted to the local authority.
The proposed residential development will comprise a total of 15 houses, with three two-beds, 11 three-beds and one four-bed, ranging in height from two to three storeys. Car and cycle parking will also be provided (including provision for the existing hotel premises), and bin storage areas. The development will be accessed via the R117/Monastery Road and will include refurbishment of the existing boundary wall and work to improve visibility.
The application referenced the most recent Village Enhancement Report, which highlighted 14 retail units in the village centre, along with 12 service units and three community units, but noted “the turnover of shop ownership was high”.
"This has continued to the present day, and it is noted that the Spar retail unit in the town recently closed and is currently up for let,” it said. “Given the above, it is important that first and foremost that the existing retail core of the village, where the existing retail and commercial units are located, is supported and protected rather than insisting on additional retail development at the edge.
“The application site, which is predominantly backland behind the existing hotel, does not present a viable location for retail development including convenience,” it continued, and noted the applicant “intends to help consolidate and revitalise the village centre through the reopening of the hotel and dining facilities, in tandem with a modest, high quality residential scheme at the edge of the town centre and which will bring additional residents into the heart of the village which in turn will support the existing services of the village”.
The development promises ample separation of the hotel from the houses, while the view of the hotel will remain unobstructed. The design of the proposal aims to provides “a sense of place and identity” on the edge of Enniskerry while meeting housing needs.