Latest news with #BrayMunicipalDistrict
Irish Independent
22-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
53 social homes to be part of historic Wicklow home redevelopment
The architects, Michael Stack and Emma Hickey, first presented the proposals for the 53 homes to the January meeting of Bray Municipal District. They are to be created across three blocks – nine three-storey town houses, with another 44 apartments in two separate blocks of 20 and 24 homes. In total, the plans are for a mix of 21 one-beds, 23 two-beds and nine three-beds, with Rockbrae House itself to become a five-storey building. The heights across the development will vary, with the lowest on the southside stepping from three to five storeys, and a playground is included in the development as it is over 50 units. There will be a total of 33 car parking spaces, including one for each of the three-beds. The Gothic-style two-storey house was first built in the 1870s on lands leased from the Pembroke Estate. The Defence Forces took ownership of the site following the outbreak of World War II and subsequently became the headquarters of the FCA. In 2005, when the FCA was amalgamated into the Reserves, the facility fell into disrepair and became derelict. The site was also subject to an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour. Following years of prolonged negotiations, it was finally handed over to the local authority in 2022. A fire gutted the building in April 2023, and, at the November meeting of the district last year, the council announced its intention to build homes on it for social housing, in an effort to address the growing housing needs in the town. After a preliminary examination, Wicklow County Council has concluded there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development. Therefore, an environmental impact assessment is not required. A screening of the proposed development has also taken place, with Wicklow County Council determining that it would not be likely to have a significant effect on a European site. Work has also taken place into clearing the site, with new fencing erected and cameras installed. Submissions or observations may be made in writing to David Porter, Administrative Officer, Capital Projects Office of Wicklow County Council on or before 12 noon Friday, August 22, 2025. Submissions and observations should be clearly marked 'Rockbrae House Part 8'. Submissions may also be made by email to part8@
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Proposals sought from public as Bray's old courthouse to remain in the hands of the community
Home > Regionals > Wicklow > Bray Members of the 'Old Court House Proposal Team' outside the old District Courthouse, in Bray. The former courthouse building on the Boghall Road has been vacant since 2006, when court services were relocated to the Civic Centre. In December 2021, a group of local women made a submission to Bray Municipal District, with the aim of getting the courthouse back into community use. Since then, Karen McDonald, former councillor Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Darly Carey, Deirdre Lally, Emma Lally, Anne-Marie McMorrow and Jolene O'Connor have worked to get that plan of action completed. Having succeeded in getting the building transferred into the ownership of Wicklow County Council (WCC), the team supported the council in their successful application for funding, and some €340,000 was allocated for the refurbishment of the building through the Community Recognition Fund. The team has also worked in partnership with the board of Ballywaltrim Community Centre to get their support to progress plans. They now hold a caretaker's agreement for the old courthouse building, another major milestone that allows them to move forward and engage directly with the community. Speaking on behalf of the group, Deirdre Lally said: 'No final decision has been made about how the building will be used – except that it will be for community use only. That's the exciting part. We now have the freedom to go out and find out what the community really wants.' Group member Aoife Flynn Kennedy added: 'We've been working on this for so long – it's hard not to feel excited as we approach the final stage. The possibilities are endless, but we have to be realistic too. Whatever plans we make, the building must be self-financing and sustainable.' The team has launched an online survey and will also be going door-to-door in the neighbourhood to make sure as many voices as possible are heard. So you can keep an eye out for them in the coming weeks. To complete the survey, you can go to the group's Facebook page: 'Old Court House Proposal Team'.
