Six appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against a decision by South Dublin County Council to grant planning permission for the construction of apartments on the site of the final home in Ireland of W.B. Yeats.
Permission was granted two months ago for the construction of 28 two-bedroom apartments in four blocks on the grounds of Riversdale House, an 18th Century farmhouse in Rathfarnham, Dublin. The house was given full protected status despite plans by developer Begley Clarke to demolish it, but protection was not extended to the 3.5 acres around the house.
Concern was expressed at the decision to give permission to build on the site. An Bord Pleanala has confirmed that six appeals against the council's decision have been lodged. The appeals board has until September 14th to decide on the appeal, but it might deliver its decision before that, or even after it if it seeks an extension of the statutory period, which is facilitated in the planning legislation.
Before voting to give the house protected status, the council sought submissions from the public on the future of Riversdale House. Many who made submissions put forward ideas about what uses they felt the house should be put. But a planning official with the local authority said the property was in private ownership and its use was therefore not a matter for them.
However, if the house is to be transformed into anything other than a residence, a planning application will have to be lodged with the local authority.
Yeats took a 13-year lease on the house in 1932, living there with his wife George and two children, Anne and Michael. It was the setting for his last meeting with Maud Gonne in the summer of 1938.