Neighbours appeal US billionaire's renovation plans of €4.75m Kinsale home

Local residents say the large-scale redevelopment at Sprayfield House threatens the rural character and visual landscape of the Sandycove area

Sprayfield at Sandycove, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

A house bought by a US billionaire outside Kinsale, who previously promised to build an animal sanctuary on the grounds, has had his planning approval 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 been largely demolished to make way for an extensive reconstruction as a home and farm.

In October, Cork County Council approved plans lodged by Ríoght na nAinmhithe LLC to begin that process, with permission granted to construct a new main dwelling and develop on-site renewable energy infrastructure.

The plans also included the removal of existing tennis courts, a new detached building consisting of storage and gallery space, a 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 standing 1.25m high, a temporary vehicle access route to aid construction, on-site landscaping and all associated works.

James Berwind bought Sprayfield House in Sandycove in 2023 for €4.75m

The plans were approved by the local authority despite more than a dozen objections from residents, who said the project would amount to overdevelopment and 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 parties to the planning commission, one of whom previously argued that the works would set an “undesirable precedent” for other similar developments.

Another objector stated that the "sheer scale of the huge development" threatened to "significantly harm the area's character and environment."

An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to decide on the case by April 7, 2026.