A 1.56-acre residential site near Bullock Harbour in Dalkey is on the market with a guide price of €3.9 million following the rejection of a large-scale nursing home project. The land, located at the junction of Ulverton Road and Harbour Road, is now being marketed by Knight Frank for traditional owner-occupier or private rented sector housing, The Irish Times reported.
An Coimisiún Pleanála Rejects Bartra Property Proposal
The site was previously the focus of an ambitious development plan by Richard Barrett’s Bartra Property, which proposed a five-storey, 104-unit nursing home. An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected the proposal in February 2024. This decision followed a successful High Court challenge brought by broadcaster Pat Kenny, his wife Kathy, and their neighbors, who had opposed the project.
The legal challenge overturned a previous grant of planning permission issued by An Bord Pleanála in July 2023. With the nursing home project now ruled out, the property’s current valuation and marketing strategy have shifted toward residential housing.
Residential Zoning Covers Property Near Dalkey Village
The property is divided into two sections: the lower portion, known as Yonder, is accessed via Harbour Road and contains Maple Tree House, a detached seven-bedroom residence. The upper section is accessed from Ulverton Road. The entire site is positioned 250 meters from Bullock Harbour, 750 meters from Dalkey village, and 1 kilometer from the Dalkey Dart station.
Under the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022–2028, the land is zoned Objective A Residential. This zoning aims to provide residential development and improve amenity while protecting existing residential features.
Residential Development Options
While the nursing home bid failed, the site has a history of residential approval. In 2019, planning permission was granted for 24 units, including 18 apartments and six houses, though that permission has since expired. A new feasibility study offers two current development paths:
- Option One: Building 14 homes, comprising two detached four-bed units, four terraced units with three bedrooms, six terraced units with three bedrooms plus a study, and two semidetached two-bed units.
- Option Two: A total of 16 units, replacing four terraced houses from the first option with six apartments or duplexes. This combination consists of three two-bed apartments, three three-bed duplexes, two four-bed detached houses, six three-bed plus-study terraced houses, and two two-bed semidetached houses.
Dalkey Property Market Outlook
Finín O’Driscoll of Knight Frank stated that the site’s size and highly sought-after coastal residential location are expected to drive high demand for the opportunity.
Dalkey Site Development Questions
What happened to the 2019 planning permission?
Planning permission was granted in 2019 for 24 residential units, but that permission has since expired, requiring any new developer to seek fresh approval.
Who successfully blocked the nursing home development?
Broadcaster Pat Kenny, his wife Kathy, and their neighbors successfully challenged the planning permission in the High Court, leading to the eventual rejection by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
How is the land currently zoned?
The site is zoned Objective A Residential under the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022–2028, which prioritizes residential development and the protection of local amenities.
“This site offers an attractive lot size in a highly sought-after coastal residential location … we expect to see high demand for this opportunity.”