David Agar to build gated estate in Foxrock

Property developer David Agar has applied for planning permission to construct six detached homes on a gated avenue accessed from Brighton Road, Foxrock. The site is located in the former rear gardens of a trio of homes purchased by the developer a decade ago.

In 2005, three canny neighbours grouped together to sell their substantial homes – Craughwell, Fairholme and Damson Lodge – on a combined 3.75 acre site. Originally guiding €18 million, Agar’s Sammark Properties paid a reported €22 million.

While it was expected that the developer would demolish the houses, he opted to renovate and sell them one-by-one instead. Craughwell reportedly sold at auction in 2007 for around €6.3 million and Fairholme for €4.2 million in 2008.

Damson Lodge, which was then named St Benedict’s, was not offered for sale and Agar himself subsequently moved in. His long-time family home nearby on Brighton Road, Serena, has been occupied by the Lesotho ambassador for the past five years.

The 1.6 acre site that Agar now plans on developing is owned by him in a personal capacity as he purchased it from Sammark in October 2008.

The site in question is located directly to the rear of Damson Lodge and Fairholme, however the original rear garden of Craughwell has not been included in this planning application and will remain vacant.

Six identical 314sq m (3,380sq ft) two-storey detached family homes, each featuring multiple reception rooms and five bedrooms, are to be constructed in the quintessential Arts & Crafts style with which Foxrock is commonly associated.

The scheme will undoubtedly be the most upmarket to have been built in the desirable locale since the recession took hold.