Dalkey, 24 February 2026 — For nearly 25 years it existed only in planning files and architectural drawings — but The Edge’s long-awaited Dalkey home has now shifted from paperwork to physical progress, with construction activity visible at the Sorrento Cottage site above Killiney Bay.
Barriers have been erected around the 2.75-acre Vico Road and Sorrento Road property, and heavy machinery is now present on site, signalling that the extensive redevelopment of the long-vacant cottage is firmly under way.
The commencement of works marks a significant milestone for David Evans, guitarist with U2, and brings tangible momentum to a project whose origins stretch back more than two decades.
A Long Road from Refusal to Approval
The site’s planning history is one of the most drawn-out associated with a private residence in south Dublin.
In October 2001, An Bord Pleanála refused permission for a previous two-storey dwelling on the lands, overturning an earlier grant by Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. A subsequent High Court challenge in 2003 upheld the appeals board’s decision.
It was not until November 2023 that Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council granted planning permission for a substantially revised and carefully reworked scheme centred on the restoration and extension of Sorrento Cottage.
In granting permission, the council concluded that the development would not detract from the amenities of the area and was consistent with the provisions of the County Development Plan. Its Conservation Division welcomed the proposal to restore the original dwelling as a primary residence within the Architectural Conservation Area, noting that mature landscaping would ensure the project would not adversely impact the character of the locality.
What the Approved Scheme Includes
Designed by ODAA Architects, the approved plans provide for:
- Restoration and internal reconfiguration of the existing cottage
- A three-level extension integrated into the landscape
- Six ensuite bedrooms and expanded living accommodation
- A dedicated recording studio
- An archive room
- A separate bath-house containing a plunge pool and sauna
- A security hut to facilitate 24-hour on-site security
Planning documents previously lodged with the council stated that the security measures are intended to address the “unique safety needs” associated with Mr Evans’ high-profile career.
The development also includes the demolition of several existing structures on site, including single-storey extensions, a greenhouse, a detached garage and external stores.
A single third-party submission was made during the planning process, raising concerns about proposed boundary treatments. In response, the council attached a condition requiring that boundary walls be maintained at their existing height.
Bringing a Vacant Property Back to Life
Sorrento Cottage has remained vacant since the mid-1990s. Planning consultants argued that the new scheme was specifically designed to address the reasons for refusal in 2001, with the extension positioned within the site’s topography to avoid overlooking, overshadowing or overbearing effects on neighbouring dwellings.
Pre-planning engagement began in August 2021, and the revised proposal was developed by a team of experts drawn from nine separate planning and engineering firms.
Now, with construction activity clearly visible above Killiney Bay, the long-dormant site has entered a new phase.
For Dalkey residents accustomed to seeing the property sit quietly above the water, the transformation is no longer theoretical. After decades of drawings, reports and legal history, Sorrento Cottage is finally taking physical shape.
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