Peter Woods, who purchased a coastal property known as Nirvana on Coliemore Road in Dalkey for €2.5 million in February 2025, has lodged plans with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to demolish the structure due to dangerous levels of radon gas, The Irish Times reported.
Radon Remediation Fails at Dalkey Site
The owner initially intended to renovate the 1958-built dwelling, which had remained vacant for a number of years and was generally in very poor condition according to ODAA Architects. However, a report by planning consultant Kiaran O’Malley noted that following multiple radon surveys and remediation measures, the radioactive gas could not be brought down to safe levels.
Tests conducted by Cora Consulting Engineers between May and July 2025 detected radon levels more than five times the maximum limit for a domestic house and 13 times the average level in Ireland. Radon is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, group-one carcinogen and stands as the second-biggest cause of lung cancer in the country. John Casey of Cora Consulting Engineers stated in his report that the only feasible option was to demolish and replace the house with a structure featuring continuous radon membranes from inside to outside.
| Property Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Acquisition Date & Price | February 2025, €2.5 million |
| Location | Nirvana, Coliemore Road, Dalkey |
| Proposed Development | Three new homes (one 349sq m, two 124sq m) |
Redevelopment Plans Submitted to the Council
The planning application filed with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council outlines a proposal to clear the site and construct three new residential dwellings. The scheme, designed by ODAA Architects, features a 349-square-metre, three-storey, four-bedroom dwelling equipped with a sauna at the rear of the steeply sloping site.
Two smaller, two-storey, three-bedroom dwellings measuring 124 square metres each are planned closer to Coliemore Road. Highlighting the necessity of the demolition, ODAA Architects noted that approximately 300 people die per year in Ireland due to radon, making compliant levels at the dwelling an absolute necessity.
Tax Exemption Granted by Revenue Commissioners
Before lodging the demolition application, Woods provided the radon findings to the Revenue Commissioners. Revenue subsequently confirmed in writing that the existing structure was officially classified as uninhabitable, granting an exemption from local property tax.
A formal decision from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council regarding the demolition and multi-unit construction application is scheduled for December.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
