Wicklow to get new nature-based wellness retreat as go-ahead given for golf clubhouse transformation

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The former Glen of the Downs Golf Club clubhouse is finally set for redevelopment after Wicklow County Council granted permission for its conversion into a nature-based wellness retreat and short‑stay tourism accommodation facility.

The approval marks a significant turnaround for the site, which saw a previous planning bid refused last year.

The new application, lodged by Coolkazz Limited, sought permission to repurpose the dormant clubhouse on Ballydonagh Road, Delgany, into an immersive retreat, offering accommodation, a yoga and meditation studio, and a range of wellness focused facilities.

The council has now agreed to the proposal, concluding that the development aligns with the tourism and recreation objectives of the County Development Plan and would not affect local amenities if operated under strict conditions.

The decision comes after a more ambitious redevelopment plan was rejected in 2025, when the council refused permission for a larger‑scale transformation of the clubhouse and surrounding lands.

The clubhouse at the former Glen of the Downs Golf Club, in County Wicklow, with the protected view of the Great Sugarloaf.

That refusal centred on concerns about the intensity of use, environmental impacts and the suitability of the proposed works within the sensitive Glen of the Downs landscape. The new application is notably more modest, confined to the existing building footprint and limited external works, and appears to have addressed the issues raised in the earlier refusal.

Under the approved plans, the existing clubhouse will undergo a full internal reconfiguration. The developer intends to create retreat accommodation units, refurbish the heating system, and upgrade mechanical, electrical and plumbing services.

The building will also be adapted to include a yoga and meditation studio, with alterations to some external openings and the installation of low profile roof windows designed to blend with the existing structure. The council accepted that these changes were in keeping with the building’s character and would not negatively affect the surrounding area.

External works will be relatively small in scale. The permission allows for the refurbishment of external lighting and site services, limited landscaping and planting, the replacement of part of the tarmac surface with permeable paving, and the provision of covered cycle parking and a screened bin storage enclosure.

The existing car park will be reconfigured to include accessible bays, with conditions requiring all spaces to be fully surfaced, lined and available for use before the retreat opens.

The council attached 15 conditions to the permission, many of them aimed at tightly controlling how the site operates. One of the most significant restrictions is that the development must be used solely for wellness retreats by guests staying in the associated short‑term accommodation. No other use will be permitted without a fresh planning application, even if such a change would normally be exempted development.

The entire site must remain in single ownership and cannot be subdivided, while accommodation can only be offered for short‑term holiday letting of up to four weeks. This legal agreement must be registered as a burden on the land within three months of the final grant.

Public health and environmental protection feature prominently in the conditions. Before the retreat can open, the existing wastewater treatment system must be repaired and upgraded in line with a report submitted with the application.

The council requires photographic evidence of the works and certification from a chartered engineer, environmental health officer or hydrogeologist. A certified UV disinfection unit, pre‑treatment filters, alarm and failsafe shutdown mechanism must also be installed on the water supply, again with photographic proof and professional certification. The developer must secure any necessary discharge licence for wastewater before construction begins.

Noise controls are strict, with limits of 55 dB(A) during daytime hours and 45 dB(A) at all other times, measured at the nearest dwelling. No pure tones may be audible, and the council reserves the right to demand noise surveys, the cost of which would fall on the developer.

Stormwater management must comply with the Greater Dublin Strategic Drainage Study, with full attenuation on site and no discharge to the public road, foul sewer or adjoining properties. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems must be incorporated, including emergency overflow provision.

Lighting is another area of focus. All external lighting must comply with the Institute of Lighting Engineers’ guidance on reducing light pollution, and any new lighting must use warm LED sources of 2700 Kelvin or lower to minimise impacts on wildlife. Lights must be cowled and directed away from the public road, and a qualified professional must certify compliance before use.

The council has also imposed detailed landscaping requirements. Existing shrubs and trees, particularly along the roadside boundary, must be retained. A comprehensive rewilding and tree‑planting plan must be prepared by a suitably qualified person and agreed before works begin.

New planting must consist of native deciduous and evergreen species, with deciduous trees at least four to five years old and evergreen species no more than 900mm high.

An appeal may be lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks from July 30.