Broadcaster Mairéad Ronan and her husband, Louis Ronan, have formally responded to objections lodged against their plans to renovate and extend their holiday home in Dunmore East, County Waterford. The couple’s planning consultant submitted a 25-page document to An Coimisúin Pleanála (ACP) on March 15, 2026, rebutting claims made by four local residents that have stalled the project.
The dispute centers on plans, designed by Dermot Bannon Architects, to significantly expand the Ronans’ existing 60 square meter home with a 165 square meter extension. Waterford City and County Council granted planning permission in January, but the decision was appealed to ACP by local objectors.
This is not the first time the Ronans’ plans have faced opposition. An Bord Pleanála previously refused a similar application in November 2023 following objections from residents. The current proposal represents a scaled-down version of the earlier design, following requests from Waterford City and County Council in March 2025 to reduce the scale and massing of the development, according to previous reports.
In the submission to ACP, planning consultant David Mulcahy directly addressed several concerns raised by the objectors. One claim characterized the proposed balcony as an “elevated entertainment terrace,” suggesting it would be used for social gatherings. Mulcahy countered that the balcony is intended solely for family use, “for relaxing and nothing more.”
Mulcahy also argued that the existing home is inadequate for a family of six, describing its size as equivalent to a one-bedroom apartment. He further noted that the site had remained vacant for 25 years, attributing this to the small size of the original dwelling and its unsuitability for modern living. He emphasized the need to balance providing sufficient living space with the conservation principles governing development in the area, asserting that the architectural design achieves this balance.
The consultant also challenged the characterization of the property as a “holiday home,” stating that the Ronans spend the majority of their time in Dunmore East and anticipate increasing their time there if the development proceeds. He asserted that no evidence had been provided to support claims of potential noise or light nuisance.
Regarding concerns about overlooking and loss of privacy due to a proposed rooftop terrace, Mulcahy stated that the terrace would be “comfortably absorbed into the massing of the new roof” and would not be a dominant feature. He highlighted that the Ronans had made a “concerted effort to change the design and reduce the scale” compared to the previously refused plans.
Mulcahy concluded by stating that the proposed development “represents exceptional architecture and will make a significant positive contribution to the area,” and that the design is both aesthetically pleasing and respectful of the surrounding environment.
ACP has invited the appellants to submit rebuttal statements to the Ronans’ submission. A decision on the appeal is expected later this year.
