Green light for huge Bray centre development

Planners today gave the green light for a €2bn residential, retail and leisure complex in north Wicklow.

The massive Bray Town Centre development will include offices, shops, schools, restaurants and a hotel with a bridge link to the proposed Luas extension.

The ambitious scheme will provide jobs for around 2,500 people but An Bord Pleanala rejected it last year over traffic concerns and because the town’s flood defence scheme was not completed.

Since then Bray Town Council has produced a flood defence plan and Pizarro developments lodged a fresh application with revised road proposals and plans for two new schools.

Pizarro project manager Mary Bermingham said the development would not only boost the town but bring in €60m in wages annually for the area.

“We are delighted with the decision to grant planning permission following a close consultation process,” she said.

“In addition to the positive impact that this development will have on the town of Bray it also has the ability to bring in over €60m in wages annually into the local area and whilst employing over 2,500 people.

“Building on this development is expected to start next year.”

The centre will be located on the town’s old golf club lands near the coast and will include over 100 shops, 326 apartments, a 103 bedroom hotel, restaurants and cafes and an eight-screen cinema.

There will be a seafront residential neighbourhood with open space, a GAA pitch and a new primary and secondary school.

The development will provide a link between the original town centre and the seafront, while the town’s River Dargle will be enhanced with a riverside walk, flood protection plans, and amenities.