The court-ordered demolition of 29 modular homes at Chianti Park near the Dublin-Wicklow border is under way, but the work has fallen behind the timetable set by the High Court. The units were built without planning permission, and the site must ultimately be cleared, checked and restored under the court’s order.
Breaking News: Demolition Work Has Started at Chianti Park
Demolition crews have begun dismantling the properties at Raheen, close to Brittas, but the process is expected to continue for several more weeks. Richie McDermott, representing the site-owning companies, said the work was progressing slowly because contractors were attempting to salvage materials rather than send them directly to landfill.
Materials being removed include timber, windows, roof tiles and other parts of the modular structures. McDermott said the aim was to complete the work properly while recovering as much usable material as possible.
“It is behind, but the demolition guys are trying to salvage everything they can,” he said, according to the information available about the case.
Why is the demolition taking longer?
The dismantling approach is more gradual than simply demolishing the homes with heavy machinery. Contractors are removing components individually, with the intention of reducing waste and avoiding unnecessary damage to recoverable materials.
McDermott said the work was “not happening quick enough for anyone”, including himself, but rejected any suggestion that the owners were deliberately delaying compliance with the court order.
- Demolition of the 29 units has begun.
- The work is taking longer than the original timetable.
- Materials are being salvaged where possible.
- The site is expected to be sold after the clearance is completed.
High Court Ruling Behind the Order
The demolition follows a legal dispute involving South Dublin County Council, local resident John O’Neill, the developer Branach Developments Limited and site-owning companies Mullnassa Limited and Threshford Limited.
The council and Mr O’Neill argued that the development was unauthorised and that the homes should be removed. The Circuit Civil Court ruled in their favour, after which the developer and site owners appealed to the High Court.
The appeal centred on whether the structures qualified as exempted development under the Planning and Development Act. The developer and owners argued that the homes were consistent with the character and existing use of the site.
High Court judge Richard Humphreys upheld the earlier decision. He described the case as a particularly serious disregard of planning law and ordered that the units be demolished or deconstructed.
What the High Court Timetable Requires
The original court timetable required the demolition or deconstruction of all units between August 17 and September 21. That deadline has now passed, while the clearance work remains ongoing.
The next formal stage is a post-clearance visual inspection by a council engineer. The inspection was scheduled for the period between September 21 and September 28 and is intended to confirm that the structures, foundations and any buried waste have been removed.
Further restoration work
The court’s programme also includes several restoration measures after demolition:
- Inspection of the cleared site by a council engineer.
- Removal of foundations and any buried waste.
- Placement of topsoil where required.
- Soil remediation.
- Landscape reinstatement.
- Replanting of hedgerows and trees.
Those stages were scheduled to continue through specified periods ending on November 2. The final condition of the land will therefore depend not only on removing the homes but also on completing the environmental and landscaping requirements.
Residents and Local Authority Monitoring
Chianti Park is located on Mount Seskin Road near Brittas and has operated alongside the adjoining Hillsbrook site. The area dates back to the late 1960s and has historically included trailers and other forms of mobile accommodation.
About 10 residents are understood to remain at the rear of the two sites in mobile homes, chalets and trailers. Local residents have reportedly contacted South Dublin County Council with concerns about the pace of the demolition.
Council officials have been checking the work regularly, according to McDermott. The local authority had not responded to queries about the progress at the time of the report.
What Happens Next?
The immediate priority is to finish dismantling the 29 units and clear the site in line with the High Court order. A council engineer’s inspection will then be important in determining whether the clearance is complete, including below-ground elements and possible buried waste.
Once the inspection and restoration work are finished, the land is expected to be sold. The timing of any sale will depend on the completion of demolition, remediation and landscaping rather than simply the removal of the visible structures.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the homes being demolished?
The High Court upheld a finding that the development was unauthorised and ordered the removal or deconstruction of the 29 units.
Where is Chianti Park?
Chianti Park is on Mount Seskin Road near Raheen and Brittas, close to the Dublin-Wicklow border.
Has the demolition been completed?
No. The work has started but is behind the timetable originally set by the High Court.
What will happen to the site?
After the structures, foundations and any buried waste are removed, the site is due to undergo soil remediation and landscape reinstatement, including hedgerow and tree planting.
Why This Ireland News Story Matters
The Chianti Park case highlights the legal consequences of carrying out development without the required planning permission. It also shows that a demolition order can involve a lengthy process extending beyond the removal of buildings, particularly where authorities require environmental checks and restoration.
For nearby residents, the remaining work will be closely watched because the site must be cleared safely and restored properly. For landowners and developers, the case is a clear reminder that arguments about the established character of a site may not overcome a finding that planning law has been breached.
The key takeaway from this Breaking News Ireland development is that demolition is under way, but the Chianti Park site will not be considered fully dealt with until the homes, foundations and any buried waste are removed and the required restoration work is completed.
