Neighbours’ building plans send U2 star over the edge
Guitarist asks for changes in proposed build overlooking his home
IT’S not always easy living life close to The Edge... as neighbours of the U2 guitarist recently discovered.
The music star asked that changes be made to plans to build a three-storey house on Dublin’s Killiney Hill, further up the hill than his own home.
And those on the opposing side in the property row were even invited to call around to the musician’s garden, so he could show them exactly why he wasn’t pleased with their plans.
The planning application made by aviation tycoon James Meyler and wife Bronagh Kingston, who want to demolish an existing partially-built two-storey property, and replace it with a three-storey, five-bedroom, ‘contemporary style dwelling’.
The new development, named Buena Vista, at Killiney Hill Road, also requested an impressive 18sqm indoor pool.
However, The Edge claimed the development would disrupt the seaside views from his two neighbouring properties – Santa Barbara and Fortlands. He also voiced concerns that the property would overlook his home. Under the plans, the ground floor of Buena Vista would be six to ten metres higher than Fortlands, and three to four metres above Santa Barbara. An objection sent on his behalf said: ‘By nature of its scale and volume, and overbearing presence could severely compromise our client’s amenity, as well as that of its neighbours. Our client is happy to arrange appropriate access to his properties to facilitate any boundary interface investigation the applicants might require should any request for further information be issued in respect of this application.’
And Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council were in agreement with the guitarist.
Mr Meyler and Ms Kingston were given permission to build their home once they drop plans for an attic room and reduce the height of the first-floor roof terrace and balcony by 12 metres, so protecting the U2 star’s privacy.
‘Overbearing presence’