COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

HEADED ITEM NO. 12

HEADED ITEM: BOLTON HALL

A site inspection of Bolton Hall, RPS Ref. 286 was carried out on 22nd April 2010 in order to check on the progress of works in relation to the reinstatement of the roof to Bolton Hall and associated features i.e. repair/reinstatement of chimneys etc.  Other works being carried out due to fire damage and/or water damage after the fire include repair works to ceilings and decorative plasterworks. The roof to the main house is complete apart from the flat roof sections of the wings over the Ballroom and kitchen area.  The roof in its entirety is due for completion mid to end of May 2010.  Contact between Burkeway Properties Ltd and the Planning Department is made on an on-going basis and it was agreed during the site inspection that the Council’s Conservation Officer would continue to be kept up-to-date of progress on site.  Site inspections will also continue to be carried out until such time that the roof works and all other associated works are completed.

The issue of the mature tress was also detailed in previous correspondence to Burkeway Properties Ltd and it was requested that a response include some sort of statement in relation to maintenance of the grounds and that when it is an appropriate time of year for pruning/cutting back trees that this is something that could be given consideration due to health and safety reasons.  However it should be noted that it is the responsibility of the owner to carry out pruning/cutting back trees and does not fall under the remit of the Section 59 Notice nor is it an onus on the owner in relation to the safeguarding of a Protected Structure. 

Further to this a representative from Burkeway Properties Ltd contacted the Planning Department for advice on proper procedure for dealing with overgrown mature trees within a Protected Structure site.  The representative has been advised to contact the Parks Department for appropriate advice in relation to appropriate methods etc.  It has been agreed that pruning/cutting will only be carried out on the advice of the Parks Department and that no trees shall be removed as the trees are an important part of the setting of Bolton Hall.