COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

MOTION NO.13

MOTION: Councillor A.M. Dermody

"That the Manager provide a comprehensive report on the state and condition of Ballyroan House (requests having been previously made by me through Membersnet), that the Manager comment on whether or not this site might be considered by the Council as one suitable for inclusion as a derelict site, having regard to its state and condition and to the this Council’s long history with the owner with regard to the matter.  That the Manager outline the historical importance of this site given the fact that it is a Protected Structure and to comment on the Council’s willingness to progress with an application to have the site declared derelict and to discuss what possible uses this site could be used for if the Council were to be successful with such an application."

REPORT:

The Council's Area Engineer inspected the site at Ballyroan House Lodge on the 11th December 2012.  He deemed the site to be derelict pursuant to the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990.  A Section 11 notice has been served on the owner dated 6th February 2013 requesting them to secure the site, remove the graffiti and to remove the overgrowth and maintain the site.  These works are to be carried out within 4 weeks from when this notice takes effect to render the site non derelict.

The Planning Department has reported that Planning Permission was granted on 19th September, 2006 (Planning Reference SD06B/0210) for the demolition of existing lean-to at rear, construction of new single storey extension to rear and two storey extension to side, and boundary alterations. (Protected Structure).  In respect of Ballyroan Lodge, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 no Commencement Notice was received.  This Planning Permission expired on 19th September, 2011.

An endangerment Notice, pursuant to Section 59 of the Local Government (Planning and Development), Act 2000 was served on the owner on the 26th October 2012.   This notice expired on the 28th January 2013.  The Council's Senior Planner has now advised following inspection of the site on 6th February 2013 that none of the works specified in the Endangerment Notice have been undertaken and he has recommended that enforcement action be taken.

Ballyroan  Lodge was built between 1840 and 1843 as the gate lodge to Ballyroan House.  It is listed in Griffiths Valuation, the then owner being Joshua Watson.  It is a two roomed cottage with an entrance hallway.  The main facade is two bay with a redimented entrance breakfront.  The design is in a pared down classical style with rendered walls and granite plinth.  The windows have lugged architraves, and the roof overhangs, both eaves and verges have timber dentils.  According to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage it is of Regional significance.  It  survives in poor condition today.