Neighbours appeal US billionaire's renovation plans of €4.75m Kinsale home
A house bought by a US billionaire outside Kinsale, who previously promised to build an animal sanctuary on the grounds, has had his positive planning bid by the council appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.Family heir to a US fortune, James Berwind bought Sprayfield House in Sandycove in 2023 for €4.75m, which has since largely been demolished to make way for an extensive reconstruction as a home and farm.In October, Cork County Council approved plans lodged by Riocht na N-Ainmhithe, LLC to begin that process, with permission granted to construct a new main dwelling, as well as the development of on-site renewable energy infrastructure.The plans also included the removal of existing tennis courts, a new detached building consisting of a storage and gallery space, gym and leisure facilities including a lap pool, as well as a new padel and tennis court at roof level.The development will also include 14 ground-mounted arrays, each with 18 photovoltaic panels, 12 mini turbines, all 1.25m in height, a temporary vehicle to aid construction, on-site landscaping and all associated site development works.James Berwind bought Sprayfield House in Sandycove in 2023 for €4.75mThe plans were approved by the local authority despite more than a dozen objections from local residents, who said the development would constitute an overdevelopment of the site and would create a “serious, irreversible impact on the visual lay of the landscape within the wider countryside."Another objector said the rural character and tranquillity of the area would “be irreparably harmed, diminishing its appeal and the quality of life for existing residents.” The development was appealed by five separate parties to the planning commission, one of whom previously argued that the works would set an “undesirable precedent” for other similar developments at such locations.Another objector previously stated that the "sheer scale of the huge development" threatened to "significantly harm the area's character and environment."An Coimisiún Pleanála are due to decide on the case by April 7, 2026.
