Bray hotel for redevelopmentAn Bord Pleanála has granted permission for the substantial demolition of the former Bray Head Hotel, a landmark Victorian property at the southern end of the promenade on Bray Seafront.

The hotel, now The Crofton Bray Head Inn, dates from the 1870s and is a protected structure. The planning permission granted envisages the retention of the front four-storey façade overlooking the sea, including the mansard roof, chimneys and dormers. It also envisages partial retention of the side and rear walls of the structure within which will be an 18-bed boutique hotel and 18 apartments. The move will maintain public access to the site while the apartments will benefit from sea views. To the rear of the old hotel, a second block has permission for 15 two-beds. Interestingly, the Bord insisted on the retention of enough space for the single track Bray-to-Greystones railway line at the rear of the property to be expanded to double track in the future.

Reinstating family houses

Dublin City Council has approved amendments to 2 Mount Street Crescent, a protected structure, to facilitate its use as a family home. The amendments include changes to the layout of the ground and upper floors, new door openings to the stairs and landing, and an upper ground floor roof terrace to the rear with access stairs from the garden and privacy screening along boundary walls.

At 36 Mount Pleasant Avenue permission has been granted for the reinstatement of a family home from multiple units. The development envisages partial demolition of a rear return, extensions at ground and first floor level, and internal alterations. An additional dormer storey for storage and ancillary purposes, including provision of an exercise area and roof terrace, are included in the application.

Music centre at St Columba's

The warden and fellows of St Columba's College in Rathfarnham have submitted additional information on their plans for the adaption of a listed building, the Cadogan house, from a dormitory to music centre. St Columba's envisages practice rooms and a music room/performing arts room. The alterations include a new entrance, removal of the fire-escape ladder and repairs to roofs, stonework, doors and windows. Internal works include new partitions, doors, screens, escape stairs and fire-upgrading works.