A row erupts over Sinead O’Connor’s former £1.5 million home in Ireland after developers behind a failed planning application to turn it into five luxury apartments appealed the verdict.
Neighbors are outraged by the proposal to demolish part of the existing seaside home and replace it with a three-storey extension, leaving their homes overlooked by a new block of luxury apartments.
Wicklow County Council refused permission to refurbish the pretty house – called Montebello – and convert it into apartments in April.
Planners said the building would be an “incongruous structure” and would “invade the view of listed buildings near the site” and devalue neighboring homes.
But now the applicant has made the decision to appeal to try and overturn the ruling, which they say is ‘unjustified’.
The argument is about the singer’s old home 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 £1.5 million.
She sold it in 2021 for around £892,000 and had moved back to London, where she died in Brixton in July at the age of 56.
Earlier this month, thousands of the musician’s fans gathered outside Bray’s home to watch Sinead’s funeral procession.
Photos of the six-bed property show how Sinead put her love of color 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 a giant goddess-like figure is painted in blue on the wall above the deceased star’s bed.
Locals had hoped that her old home would be a permanent tribute to the Irish singing sensation.
But now Montebello looks set to become a planning battleground as locals take on a developer who wants to bring more housing to the area.
Photos of the six-bed property show how Sinead put her love of color to work there
Designers wanted to demolish a current two-storey extension at the rear of the building and rebuild it to three floors
Some rooms are painted in bright colors, such as this pink sitting room
Earlier this month, thousands of the musician’s fans gathered outside Bray’s home to watch Sinead’s funeral procession
One bedroom has a deep blue carpet and orange walls, showing her love of color
The house has a large garden, complete with a purple shed
Montebello looks set to become a battlefield for planning as locals take on a developer who wants to bring more housing to the area
The house has six bedrooms, a breakfast room, living room, parlor, family room and dining room
The original application to turn the double-fronted house into five apartments was submitted last May by BBA Architecture on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
Designers wanted to demolish a current two-storey extension at the rear of the building and rebuild it to three floors to turn it into apartments with balconies.
Part of the existing roof would be lost to allow for balconies at the front as well, while much of the garden would be lost and two barns would be demolished, as well as a veranda.
The existing driveway would need to be widened and existing openings widened to add additional doors on the front and east sides.
The original plans also stated that the cages at the end of the house, painted by Sinead in bright colors, would be removed.
But neighbors are furious with the proposal, calling it “overbearing” and “intrusive.”
Neighbors 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 home and would be inconsistent with the use and design of the attractive historic homes along this coastal location.
Neighbors are outraged by the proposal, calling it ‘overbearing’ and ‘intrusive’
Locals had hoped that a memorial would be built at the house in tribute to the singer
The developers have launched a call, which means that the municipality is now reconsidering proposals
Last May, the original application was submitted to convert the house with its double facade into five apartments
The original plans also stated that the cages at the end of the house, painted by Sinead in bright colors, would be removed
Many of the six bedrooms have their own fireplaces, while the master bedroom has a dressing room
Local resident Gareth Douglas said the development would affect the amount of sunlight that can reach his backyard
The purple and pink theme continues throughout the house, including in the kitchen
Wicklow County Council refused permission in April to renovate the lovely seaside house and convert it into apartments
Developers want to build a three-storey extension and turn it into luxury apartments
‘This is an attractive period house with a lovely enclosed garden to the rear which is of considerable amenity and aesthetic value to our retired clients who spend much of their time enjoying this pleasant garden or the rear conservatory located lower level to the subject site.
‘They are now not overlooked by the existing two-storey rear extension with a low hipped roof.
“The developer made no effort to consult with us or adjacent neighbours. This we would consider disrespectful and unhelpful.
“This will be significant and very distressing for our customers.”
Local David Armstrong added: ‘Bray is known as a Victorian seaside.
‘In my opinion it would be inappropriate, careless and contrary to the Local Area Plan to allow a prominent Victorian heritage site to be substantially altered in the manner proposed.
“It doesn’t fit to tie a modern extra storey to a Victorian roofline.”
Gareth Douglas said the development would affect the sunlight that can reach his backyard and allow people to see inside.
The council declined the initial application — but a month later, chartered urban planner Colin McGill filed an appeal on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
It reads: ‘The proposed roof profile for the conversion of the attic will not detract from the character of the sea.
“It doesn’t affect protected structures or protected views. In relation to the scale of buildings next to the location in question, the proposed development will have no material impact on the character of the coast.’