Well-known billionaire planning further alterations to historic Waterford estate

Restoration works at Ballynatray House in west Waterford continue to advance, with additional enhancements now being planned by its multibillionaire owner.

The estate has undergone significant work since coming under the ownership last year of vacuum cleaner magnate James Dyson, for a reported fee of €30 million.

Previously planned at the site in recent months has been the construction of a helicopter landing area, restoration of adjoining gatehouses, demolition works and the installation of a new internal lift within the iconic residence.

A new planning application submitted this week outlines plans for the regrading of existing ground levels to the south of Ballynatray House, a 300mm reduction in height of the existing south basement lightwell wall, and the removal and refitting of existing capping.

It is further proposed to reinstate a grass path across the south lawn.

The premises is an 18th-century classical-style house with an associated farm complex and is listed within the Record of Protected Structures and by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.

According to the Historic Houses of Ireland index, Ballynatray is eleven bays long and five bays wide, and of two storeys over a basement. The house has a late-Georgian appearance.

The house sits on an 850-acre estate and was seen last year almost entirely enclosed in scaffolding and screening as restoration works commenced.

The house was also extensively worked on in the late 1990s by a previous owner.