Hozier secures planning permission for guest lodge at his Wicklow home on third attempt

Seán McCárthaigh

Irish singer-songwriter Hozier has secured a planning decision that will be music to his ears after getting approval for new guest accommodation at his Wicklow home.

Wicklow County Council has granted planning permission for plans by the musician to construct a new guest lodge and gym on the grounds of his residence at Oldfort, Newcastle, Co Wicklow.

It was a case of third time lucky for the composer of hit singles like Take Me to Church and Too Sweet, as two previous applications for the same development had been deemed invalid by the local authority over the past 12 months.

Hozier (34) also had to scale down his original plans for the size of the guest lodge following a request for further information about the project from council planners.

He had originally sought to construct a two-storey, two-bedroom lodge but omitted one bedroom and some other details from the original proposal in order to address the concerns of planning officials.

The singer, whose full name is Andrew Hozier-Byrne, was asked to justify his need for ancillary buildings not related to agricultural use of such a scale in a rural area.

The plans also provided for a recreation space and storage area as well as the demolition of some existing sheds on the property.

Consultants for Hozier stated: “The new structure will provide our client with dry, safe and energy efficient accommodation ancillary to the main house.”

The Bray native explained that he would use the recreational space for “watching films” and “playing indoor sports” with small groups of friends in response to queries if members of the public would be using it.

Hozier also confirmed that the guest accommodation would not be open to members of the public “at any point.”

The singer had been warned by the council that it was unlikely he would secure planning permission for the proposed guest accommodation as it did not represent “a necessary dwelling” in a rural area and would be contrary to the settlement strategy of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028.

However, the council was informed that the accommodation was required for an on-site worker who is responsible for the upkeep and the maintenance of land and buildings at Oldfort.

The council said the design of the revised plans was “appropriate and high quality” and would not have any increased visual impact on the immediate area.

It said the proposed new structures were acceptable once they were “kept private.”

The council granted planning permission for the guest lodge and recreation space subject to compliance with a number of conditions including that they cannot not be let or sold separately or be used for any trade or business.

Hozier was also directed to pay a development contribution to the council of €11,966.

The singer had previously secured planning permission in 2016 for a swimming pool and sauna at his home which he had bought the previous year for €786,000.