A row is brewing over Sinead O’Connor’s former £1.5million Ireland home after developers behind a failed planning request to turn it into five luxury apartments appealed against the verdict.
Neighbours are up in arms over the proposal to demolish part of the existing seafront house and replace it with a three-storey extension, which will mean their homes are overlooked by a new block of luxury flats.
Wicklow County Council refused permission for the pretty house – called Montebello – to be refurbished and turned into apartments in April.
Planners said the building would be an ‘incongruous structure’ and would ‘intrude on views of protected structures in the vicinity of the site’ as well as devaluing neighbouring homes.
But now the applicant has taken the decision to appeal to try and overturn the ruling, which they claim ‘is not justified.’
The row centres over the singer’s old house in Bray, County Wicklow
One of the house’s bedrooms is painted to look like the sky, with a goddess-like figure on the wall
Nothing Compares 2 U singer Sinead O’Connor sold the house in 2021 and moved back to London
Nothing Compares 2 U singer Sinead bought the house in the coastal town of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, in 2007 for just under £1.5m.
She sold it in 2021 for around £892,000 and had moved back to London, where she died in Brixton in July aged 56.
Earlier this month, thousands of the musician’s fans gathered outside the Bray house to watch Sinead’s funeral procession.
Pictures of the six-bed property show how Sinead put her love of colour to work there.
The main hallway is pink and purple, the kitchen and living rooms are shades of pink, while a utility room is purple.
In one room the carpet is blue and the walls orange in another there is a giant goddess-like figure painted on the wall in blue above the late star’s bed.
Locals had hoped a permanent tribute might be put up to the Irish singing sensation at her old home.
But now Montebello looks set to become a planning battleground as locals go head to head with a developer who wants to bring more housing to the area.
Pictures of the six-bed property show how Sinead put her love of colour to work there
Designers wanted to demolish a current two-storey rear extension to the property and rebuild it to provide three storeys
Some of the rooms are painted in bright colours such as this pink sitting room
Earlier this month, thousands of the musician’s fans gathered outside the Bray house to watch Sinead’s funeral procession
One bedroom sports deep blue carpet and orange walls, showing her love of colour
The house comes with a large garden area, complete with purple shed
Montebello looks set to become a planning battleground as locals go head to head with a developer who wants to bring more housing to the area
The house has six bedrooms, a breakfast room, living room, lounge, family room and dining room
The original application to turn the double-fronted house into five apartments was lodged last May by BBA Architecture on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
Designers wanted to demolish a current two-storey rear extension to the property and rebuild it to provide three storeys to create flats with balconies.
Some of the existing roof was to be lost to allow for balconies at the front too, while much of the garden would be lost and two sheds demolished as well as a front porch.
The existing driveway would need to be widened and existing openings widened to add extra doors at the front and east.
The original plans also stated that quoins at the end of the house painted by Sinead in bright colours would be removed.
But neighbours are furious at the proposal, slamming it as ‘overbearing’ and ‘intrusive.’
Next-door neighbours Ceceline and Frank Power strongly objected in a letter written on their behalf.
It said: ‘The proposal amounts to over development of a single family dwelling and would be out of character with the use and design of the attractive period houses along this seafront location.
Neighbours are furious at the proposal, slamming it as ‘overbearing’ and ‘intrusive’
Locals had hoped that a memorial would be put up at the house in tribute to the singer
The developers have launched an appeal, meaning the council is now reconsidering proposals
The original application to turn the double-fronted house into five apartments was lodged last May
The original plans also stated that quoins at the end of the house painted by Sinead in bright colours would be removed
Many of the six bedrooms have their own fireplaces, while the master bedroom comes with a dressing room
Local resident Gareth Douglas said the development would impact sunlight being able to reach his back garden
The purple and pink theme continues throughout the house, even in the kitchen
Wicklow County Council refused permission for the pretty seafront house to be refurbished and turned into apartments in April
Developers want to build a three-storey extension and turn it into luxury flats
‘This is an attractive period house which has a fine enclosed garden to the rear that is of considerable amenity and aesthetic value to our clients who are retired and spend a lot of time enjoying this pleasant garden or the rear conservatory which is at a lower ground level to the subject site.
‘At present they are not overlooked by the existing two storey rear extension which has a low profile hipped roof.
‘The developer made no effort to consult with us or any adjoining neighbours. This we would regard as disrespectful and unhelpful.
‘This will be considerable and very oppressive for our clients.’
Local David Armstrong added: ‘Bray is famous as a Victorian seafront.
‘ln my view it would be improper, careless, and contrary to the Local Area Plan to allow a prominent Victorian heritage property to be dramatically altered in the proposed way.
‘lt is not appropriate to attach a modern additional storey to a Victorian roofline.’
Gareth Douglas said the development would impact sunlight being able to reach his back garden as well as allowing people to see in.
The council refused the initial application – but a month later chartered town planner Colin McGill submitted an appeal on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
It reads: ‘The proposed roof profile to the attic conversion will not detract from the character of the seafront.
‘It will not impact on protected structures nor protected views. Relative to the scale of buildings beside the subject site, the proposed development will not have a material impact on the character of the seafront.’
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