Billionaire James Dyson to construct helicopter pad at his historic Waterford estate
Ballynatray Estate
Despite concerns from locals, vacuum cleaner magnate James Dyson has secured permission to construct a helicopter landing area at his 850-acre Waterford estate.
Ballynatray house and estate has been catching headlines since it came under the ownership of Dyson for a reported fee of €30 million in 2024.
Major construction works have been ongoing since the purchase, and the residence was seen last year almost entirely enclosed in scaffolding and screening.
Dyson recently received planning permission to construct a tennis court on the grounds. He has also planned for a new elevator in the historic residence and the restoration of historic structures across the estate.
A planning application for the construction of a helicopter landing area on the grounds of Ballynatray were submitted in October of last year.
The plans were approved by Waterford Council but were subsequently appealed by a concerned local.
Mr. David Orr said in his letter of objection that the area is "not environmentally best suited for this type of development".
He said that the noise from landing helicopters would be "audible for a considerable distance" and that wildlife would be impacted.
An ecological assessment, which was submitted on behalf of Mr. Dyson, concluded that the impact of the helipad "should be low and localised in the long term" and have "no significant impacts on birds or important mammals".
Mr. Orr challenged the findings within this assessment, saying: "I do not feel that enough consideration on the subject of noise pollution/disturbance is being taken into account."
His objection letter further stated: "The Irish countryside is diminishing at an alarming speed. The loss and apparent disregard for the natural world is distressing. Nature, now more than ever, needs more help, less interference, if we are going to achieve any sort of balance."
The appeal was subsequently brought to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Last week, the board decided to uphold Waterford Council’s decision to approve the development.
The development was approved on the condition that the helicopter landing area be used for no more than fifty flights per annum and not be used for commercial purposes.
Ballynatray is an 850-acre estate which features an 18th-century classical-style house and an associated farm complex.
According to the Historic Houses of Ireland index, Ballynatray House is eleven bays long and five bays wide, and of two storeys over a basement. The house has a late-Georgian appearance.
The index states: "The interior was clearly built for entertaining on the grandest scale, with a sumptuous suite of interconnecting reception rooms, all with stupendous views, wide, double mahogany doors and some fine early nineteenth century plasterwork."
The house was also extensively worked on in the late 1990s by a previous owner.
Last week, it was revealed that Ballynatray House has opened its doors to the public for a series of opera recitals.
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