Sinead O’Connor’s former £1.5m home in Ireland is in a row after developers lodged a failed planning application to convert it into five luxury apartments they are challenging the ruling.
Neighbors are rising up over a proposal to demolish part of the existing seaside house and replace it with a three storey extension, meaning their homes will be overlooked by a new block of luxury flats.
Wicklow County Council refused permission to renovate the beautiful house – called Montebello – into flats in April.
Planners said the building would be an “inadequate structure” and would “intrude on views of sheltered buildings in the vicinity of the site” as well as reduce the value of neighboring homes.
But the applicant has now made the decision to appeal to try to overturn the ruling, which they claim is “unjustified”.
The dispute centers around the singer’s old home in Bray, County Wicklow
One of the house’s bedrooms has been painted to resemble the sky, with a deity-like figure on the wall
Nothing beats 2 U singer Sinead O’Connor sold the house in 2021 and moved back to London
Nothing compares to 2 U singer Sinead buying the home in the seaside town of Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, in 2007 for just under £1.5 million.
She sold it in 2021 for about £892,000, and returned to London, where she died in Brixton in July at the age of 56.
Earlier this month, thousands of fans of the musician 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 entrance is pink and purple, the kitchen and living rooms are shades of pink, while the utility room is purple.
In one room, the carpet is blue and the walls are orange. In another, there is a giant statue resembling a goddess painted on the wall in blue above the late star’s bed.
Locals hoped that the Irish singing sensation would be honored in her old home with lasting homage.
But now Montebello looks set to become a planning battleground as locals compete with a developer who wants to provide more housing in the area.
Photos of the six-bed property show how Sinead put her love of color to work there
The designers wanted to demolish the existing two-storey rear extension of the property and rebuild it to provide three storeys
Some rooms are painted in bright colours, such as the pink sitting room
Earlier this month, thousands of fans of the musician gathered outside Bray’s home to watch Sinead’s funeral procession
One bedroom features a deep blue carpet and orange walls, which indicates her love of color
The house has a large garden area, complete with a lilac shed
It looks like Montebello will become a planning battleground as locals go head-to-head with a developer who wants to provide more housing in the area.
The house has six bedrooms, a breakfast room, living room, lounge, family room and dining room
The original application to convert the double-fronted home into five apartments was submitted last May by BBA Architecture on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
The designers wanted to demolish the existing two-storey rear extension of the property and rebuild it to provide three floors to create terraced apartments.
Some of the existing roofing was to be lost to allow for porches at the front as well, while much of the garden would be lost and two sheds in addition to the front porch demolished.
The existing corridor would need to be widened and widened the existing openings to add additional doors to the front and east.
The original plans also said that the Queens would be removed at the end of the house which Sinead had painted in bright colours.
But neighbors were angry at the suggestion, calling it “arrogant” and “intrusive”.
Next door neighbors Celine and Frank Bauer strongly objected in a letter written on their behalf.
She said: ‘The proposal amounts to a further development of a single family dwelling and will be out of character with the use and design of attractive period homes along this seafront site.
Neighbors are furious at the suggestion, calling it “arrogant” and “intrusive”
Local residents hoped to erect a monument in the house in honor of the singer
The developers have launched an appeal, which means the board is now reconsidering proposals
The original application to convert the double fronted house into five flats was placed last May
The original plans also said that the Queens would be removed at the end of the house which Sinead had painted in bright colours
Several of the six bedrooms have their own fireplaces, while the master bedroom has a dressing room
Gareth Douglas, a local resident, said the project will affect sunlight so that it can reach his back garden.
Purple and pink continue throughout the house, even in the kitchen
Wicklow County Council refused permission to renovate the lovely seaside home into flats in April
The developers want to build a three-storey extension and convert it into luxury apartments
This is an attractive period home which has a wonderful enclosed garden to the rear which has great amenities and aesthetic value for our client who are retired and spend plenty of time enjoying this pleasant garden or conservatory to the rear set in lower level ground to a subject site.
At the moment it is not overlooked by the existing two storey rear extension which has a low hipped roof.
The developer made no effort to consult us or any nearby neighbors. This we will consider disrespectful and unhelpful.
“That would be very big and unfair to our customers.”
Local David Armstrong added: “Bray is famous as a Victorian waterfront.
In my view it would be improper, negligent, and contrary to the plan of the local borough to allow a notable Victorian heritage property to be modified in the manner proposed.
“It is not appropriate to attach a modern additional floor to the Victorian roof line.”
Gareth Douglas said the development would affect the ability of sunlight to reach his back garden as well as allowing people to see in.
The council rejected the initial application – but a month later the town’s charter planner Colin McGill lodged an appeal on behalf of Rachel Carthy.
It reads: ‘The roof profile proposed for the attic conversion will not detract from the waterfront character.
Will not affect protected structures or protected landscapes. Relative to the scale of buildings alongside the laid site, the proposed development will not have a material impact on the character of the waterfront.