COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor P. Cosgrave

"That the Manager give a report on Woodstown Manor House a protected structure to include

  1. What is the Planning situation with the house at present
  2. There were works to be completed by the owner have they been completed.
  3. Has the property been taken over by NAMA?
  4. Is there proper security to ensure the house will not suffer the fate of Marley Grange and Glendoher House."

REPORT:

1.
Woodstown Manor House is a Protected Structure located in an area zoned 'B' i.e. “to protect and improve rural amenity and to provide for the development of agriculture”.  It is also located above the 120m contour where polies SN40 & LHA14 apply, i.e. "It is the policy of the Council to limit the development of residential, commercial or industrial clusters to areas located below the 120m contour in the Dublin Mountains area (except where A1 zones are shown in this Plan above the 120m contour and also where specific objectives so permit in this Plan) in the interest of pursuing Council policy regarding sustainability in both high amenity and rural areas."
Planning Permission (SD02A/0697) was granted for a hotel use in 2004 which has now expired.  An application for an extension of time for this permission refused in 2009.

2.
A Section 5 Declaration for essential repairs and maintenance to Woodtown Manor was approved by the Conservation Officer and Area Planner and was issued to the owners on 30th July 2007 (Reg. Ref. ED07/0020).  The building had fallen into a bad state of repair and the remedial works applied for under the Declaration were considered to be vital for the upkeep and safety of the structure.  A full schedule of works and method statement were submitted by Carrig Building Fabric Consultants with the application for the Declaration. 

A report was submitted by the Conservation Consultants giving an update of the works agreed under the Section 5 Declaration on the 1st February 2008.  
The works commenced in November 2007 and were completed by the end of March 2008. A further letter was submitted to the Councils Conservation Officer by the Conservation Consultants Carrig on 25th March 2008 stating that all works under the Section 5 application document have now been completed. The Conservation Officer carried out a site inspection during April 2008 and can confirm that the roof was fully repaired, existing original windows were refurbished, external lime render was repair and all other works specified in the Section 5 were completed and carried out to a high conservation standard. 

3.
The Planning Authority is not in position of any information to confirm the involvement of NAMA with this property.

4.
Woodtown Manor House is considered a property in private ownership, and therefore security is a matter for the owner.