A number of locals in the seaside resort of Lahinch are opposing plans by a couple to demolish their €1m home and build a replacement home more than twice the size.
Leonard and Valarie O’Brien have lodged plans with Clare Co Council to demolish their 1,690 sq ft Hy-Brasil home at Seapark, Lahinch and in its place construct a home more than double the size at 4,273 sq ft.
The O’Briens paid €987,000 for the property at public auction last Summer where the sales brochure for Hy-Brasil described it “as a rare coastal gem overlooking the Atlantic perched in a truly commanding position overlooking Lahinch Beach”.
However, a report lodged with the O’Brien planning application identifies a number of shortcomings with their new house and includes photos showing rotten window frames, structural cracks on external walls and rising damp when outlining the case for demolition of the property.
An architect’s design statement submitted by David M Leahy Architects seeks to justify demolition by stating that the home has very poor thermal performance and extremely low BER rating; deterioration of all windows and building fabric; structural cracking throughout; inefficient and outdated electrics and plumbing and dampness throughout the whole house.
The four bedroomed Hy-Brasil was built in the early 1970s is located only two doors from Thalassa, Seapark and Thalassa’s new owners, Brian and Susan Crowley last month secured the planning green light from the Council to demolish Thalassa which they purchased for €1m last Summer and build a replacement home.
David Leahy states that overall, the replacement home for the O’Briens “represents a sensitive contemporary house design that responds appropriately to its site”.
Mr Leahy states that the new home will form a positive addition to the surrounding built environment and is fully aligned with the objectives of the Clare County Development Plan.
Mr Leahy states that the design has been carefully developed to ensure protection of neighbouring amenity by no overlooking due to level alignment; no overbearing impact due to controlled height and massing and appropriate separation distances maintained.
However, in an objection lodged by Paul McAleese, Barbara McAleese and Tom McAleese of Seapark, architect Michael Leahy states that “the quantum of development proposed is excessive for the site in question”.
Mr Leahy states that his clients’ most significant concern is in regard to possible blockage of light from the west side.
Mr Leahy states that his client inform him that when the houses were built it was a design decision so that each home would have views to the sea and the building line will be essentially broken by the new proposal.
Michael and Maria Vaughan of Seapark have told the Council that the proposed dwelling, at approximately 4,200 sq. ft. “is significantly larger than the existing dwellings within the estate”.
The Vaughans state that “the scale, bulk and massing of the proposed development are disproportionate to the established pattern of development and would constitute an overdevelopment of the site”.
In another objection, Rachel Sheehy of Seapark, Lahinch states that she is “deeply concerned that the scale massing and 4,300 square foot footprint of the proposed replacement dwelling represents an egregious overdevelopment of this coastal site”.
Calling on the Council to refuse planning permission, Ms Sheehy states: “This is a serious overdevelopment of a mature coastal plot amounting to an intrusive and visually dominant feature within the public realm of the estate.”
A decision is due next month on the application.
