Old Summerhill house saved from demolition now up for sale

A HOUSE on Summerhill's Village Green that was subject of a controversial planning application for its demolition and a proposal to build apartments on the site, has been put up for sale.

There was strong opposition locally to plans by Blue Knightsbridge Property Management Ltd to demolish the house which is believed to be more than 200 years old. The property is one of the traditional houses facing the village green and locals fear that the character of the village will be lost if these houses are not protected. The planning application was subsequently withdrawn by the applicant before Meath Co Council planners ruled on it.

Recently a ‘For Sale’ sign went up outside the house. The property is being offered for sale by Rooney Auctioneers with a guide price of €280,000 and is due to go under the hammer on Friday, 25th October via online auction.

Meanwhile, it appears that a fresh planning application is due to be lodged by Blueknightsbridge Property Management Ltd in relation to the house. A planning notice in last week's Meath Chronicle indicated that the company is to seek permission for a development on the site at Summerhill consisting of the “reconstruction of the existing residence and the construction of seven one-bed apartments including car parking and communal open space in yard.”

This suggests that the intention is to retain the house and refurbish it, rather than demolish it as per the previous application that was withdrawn.

The details on Rooney Auctioneer's listing describes the property as a “derelict home/potential development site in the heart of Summerhill.”

It outlines that the house contains four bedrooms, two living rooms, a kitchen and bathroom with a large rear yard.

The listing states: “As a terraced home, it requires a full refurbishment but offers substantial potential. The property is eligible for the Vacant Home Scheme, Derelict Property Scheme, and various SEAI Grants, making it an attractive option for buyers looking to take advantage of these opportunities.

“Moreover, this property holds significant redevelopment potential, with scope for approximately 9 new-build apartments.”

Among those who were opposed to the previous planning application last May to demolish the house was Michael Fields, who grew up in the house but now lives in the UK. He made an impassioned plea in this newspaper for the house to be saved and spoke of how “the imprint of his heart and soul” remains in the house.

A son of Tom and Delia Fields, he told how the house contained a secret room and that an altar stone or crucifixion stone found in this room by his parents was donated to the National Museum and a replica presented to his father Tom in 1984.

The altar stone featured in Fintan O'Toole's book 'A History of Ireland in 100 objects' and the original stone is now on display in the Collins Barracks Museum. The house was also the site of the original bakery in the village and Michael recalled how it was used a polling station on election days during his childhood.

He also told how his mother, who slept in the room beside his, told him on several occasions that she had seen three monks in habits floating across her bedroom.

Michael's daughter Jemma felt so strongly about preserving the house that she has travelled over from England during the summer to do research on historical files in Dublin.