Local Opposition Following Proposal Of 115 Homes On Historic Site In Celbridge

Monday, 18 May 2026 14:42

By Daniel Maher

The planned construction was for Celbridge Lodge

Plans for the construction of over 100 homes on the grounds of a 19th-century house in Celbridge has been met with strong opposition from locals.

According to the Irish Independent, a planning application has been submitted to Kildare County Council by Andrews Construction Ltd for the development of 115 homes on the grounds of the historic Celbridge Lodge on Tea Lane/Church Road in Celbridge.

Celbridge Lodge and its gate lodge, which are both protected structures, have been incorporated into the plans with Celbridge Lodge to continue as a four-bedroom house, while the gate lodge will be converted into a one-bedroom home.

Celbridge Lodge was built in the 1880s by local miller Giles Shaw, before it later became a Church of Ireland rectory.

The property was put on the market in 2020 with a guide price of €1.25m, before being sold in February of 2021 for €815,000.

A previous planning application for the construction of 52 homes on the grounds of Celbridge Lodge was granted planning permission by Kildare County Council. This decision was then appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála, known then as An Bord Pleanála.

An inspector with the board initially recommended granting planning permission for the 52-home scheme. However, the twist came when An Bord Pleanála overruled its own inspector's decision and decided to refuse planning permission instead in 2024.

An Bord Pleanála stated that the reason behind the refusal was that 52 homes was not enough for such a prime, centrally located site.

The board argued that the heritage of Celbridge Lodge and its grounds could still be protected, while still increasing housing density.