A new entrance to the grounds was to be constructed, along with an access road to a proposed car and coach parking area and an overflow car park.
However, the council has attached a number of conditions relating to internal roads and car parking at the site. It has ruled that a proposed road to the east of the castle be omitted from the scheme.The local authority has also decided that the number of parking spaces shall not exceed 151 and that a proposed overflow car park be omitted from the project. In addition, the developers are required to provide electric charging units at 10 per cent of the parking spaces.
In addition, the conditions require that the marquee be relocated to the east of the site to provide a separation from the existing group of mature trees, with the design to be revised to be “more sympathetic to the setting”.The developers are also required to conduct a bat survey, and to submit a retail impact assessment to consider the impact on existing retail operators “on the Howth Peninsula such as Sutton, Howth Village and the Howth Harbour Area”.
Responding to the granting of permission, Mr Wright said: “The team at Michael J Wright Hospitality are pleased with the decision to grant planning permission. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Howth Castle and expect it to become a key wedding and tourism destination. Our group has enjoyed the support of locals in Howth for years and we also look forward to seeing them in the Gráinne Mhaol room for afternoon tea.