Scaled back plans are approved for historic Bray Head House site

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

In a move that marks a significant turning point for one of Bray’s most prominent derelict landmarks, Wicklow County Council has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Bray Head House estate.

The decision clears the way for 172 homes to be built on the grounds of the former North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School and the historic protected structure.

The approval follows a revised application by Denver Valley Developments Limited, which sought to modify a previous, more intensive plan. Responding to local concerns regarding density and visual impact, the developer successfully proposed a reduction in the overall height of the new apartment blocks.

Under the new terms, Block A has been reduced from six storeys to five, while Blocks B and C have also seen height reductions. Perhaps most significantly for heritage advocates, the plan includes a renewed focus on Bray Head House (Block D). The protected structure, a mid-19th-century country house that has fallen into disrepair since its last occupants moved out in 2020, will now be refurbished to accommodate 11 apartments, up from the six originally envisioned.

In a notable departure from traditional high-density developments, the council approved the complete removal of a planned basement level. Instead, the project will rely on 90 surface-level car parking space, a 43pc reduction from the 160 spaces previously approved.

Planning officials cited the site’s proximity to the Dart interchange and existing public transport links as justification for the lower parking ratio. The developer is also required to contribute more than €1.7 million toward public infrastructure and facilities in the Bray area.

In a move that will be welcomed by first-time buyers, the council has attached a strict Section 47 condition to the grant. This mandates that the first occupation of any dwelling must be by individual purchasers or those eligible for social and affordable housing.

The legal undertaking explicitly prohibits corporate entities from purchasing the units in bulk, a policy intended to ensure an adequate supply of housing for the local community in the common good.

While the decision marks a major milestone, it is not yet the final word. Residents and stakeholders have a four-week window to lodge an appeal with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

If no appeals are filed by early May, final approval will be issued, allowing work to commence on restoring the Victorian-era house and transforming the former school grounds into a modern residential hub.