Rental residential units plan for Kilsharvan stables

Former presidential candidate and ‘Dragon's Den’ star Gavin Duffy and his wife Orlaith Carmody have submitted plans to Meath County Council seeking permission to convert the existing horse yard buildings at Kilsharvan, Bellewstown, into 11 short term rental residential units.

The proposed development consists of alterations and extensions to existing horse yard buildings and conversion thereof into 11 short term rental residential units, as well as the construction of a new stable building with overnight staff accommodation, new wastewater treatment plant and associated site works.

The latest application follows a previous planning application lodged by the couple for the horse yard buildings at their Kilsharvan property to provide 14 residential units which was turned down by An Bord Pleanala last January.

The plans involved three existing stable buildings being converted to residential use and the construction of a new residential building to provide a total of 14 residential units.

The development also included a new separate American barn area to house fodder storage, a horse wash bay, six stables, a foaling stable and foaling assistant's accommodation, which would replace the existing equestrian facilities.

While Meath County Council had given the green light for the project in November 2023, and appeal was subsequently lodged and this decision was overruled by An Bord Pleanala in January.