Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council refuses 32-unit apartment scheme at Montebello House

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has refused planning permission for a 32-unit apartment scheme on the grounds of Montebello House in Killiney.

The proposed development by Covelo Developments Ltd comprised a three-storey block containing a mix of one-, two-, and three-bed apartments.

In issuing the refusal, the local authority concluded that the height, scale, and bulk of the proposed residential block were incongruous with the protected status of Montebello House and its curtilage. Planning officers also determined that the design failed to integrate with the historic character of the site, would lead to a significant loss of trees, and would obstruct views of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains from the house.

While local residents, including activist Ali Hewson and Morleigh Steinberg, had submitted objections to the development, the council noted that the refusal was based on these planning defects rather than the objections themselves.

Covelo Developments Ltd now has the option to appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála.