116-Bed Hotel and 107 Residential Units Approved for Former Veha Factory Site in Wicklow Town

Wicklow County Council has granted planning permission for a large-scale mixed-use development on the site of the former Veha factory in Wicklow Town. The project, led by Pathway Homes Ltd, will include a 116-bedroom hotel and 107 residential units, transforming a significant brownfield site along The Murrough Road.

Project Details

The development, originally proposed in late 2024 , aims to create a mixed-use urban area as part of the Murrough Opportunity Area. This area is envisioned to extend from the northern boundary to Urban Villas and the village park to the south. The project encompasses:

• A 116-bedroom hotel spanning approximately 5,214 square meters, including a bar, restaurant, and business center.
• 107 residential units, comprising 28 houses, 60 townhouses, and 19 duplexes, totaling 12,492 square meters of residential floorspace.
• A mix of residential unit sizes: 12 one-bedroom, 5 two-bedroom, 78 three-bedroom, and 12 four-bedroom units.
• Own-door office spaces of approximately 223 square meters and a shop/café of around 160 square meters.
• A creche facility of approximately 454 square meters.
• 216 surface parking spaces, including provisions for visitors, accessibility, and electric vehicle charging.

Planning History and Modifications

The Veha factory, which closed in 2005 with the loss of 93 jobs, went on the market in 2022 . The original planning application, number 2460825, faced a hurdle when a condition stipulated that none of the second-phase homes could be occupied until the hotel was fully constructed and operational. Pathway Homes Ltd successfully argued that this condition rendered the project financially unviable, and the council subsequently removed it.

Developer and Vision

Pathway Homes Ltd is the developer behind the project . The development aligns with the Murrough Opportunity Area’s broader goals of expanding Wicklow town’s center with a focus on residential, tourism, and recreational uses .

Architectural Design and Impact

3D Design Bureau contributed architectural CGIs, verified view montages, and a detailed daylight and sunlight assessment to the planning application . The assessment concluded that the scheme would have a favorable impact on access to daylight and sunlight. The residential units will range from two to three stories in height, offering a variety of house types.