Laois County Council have approved planning permission for Millbrook House, Abbeyleix to be converted from residential use to guest house accommodation.
It was announced in January that internationally renowned chef, Cúán Greene was planning to open a restaurant and guesthouse at the former De Vesci Estate in Abbeyleix.
Greene spent several years working in Noma in Copenhagen – one of the only restaurants in the world to have ever been awarded three Michelin Stars.
He was also previously head chef at Bastible in Dublin 8, which is one of the select few Irish eateries with a Michelin star.
The 1.7 hectare property was initially purchased in February 2022 by billionaire brothers, John and Patrick Collison, who made their fortune through payments company Stripe.
The planning permission awarded includes restoration of the external elevations of Millbrook House and all of the coach house, including the upgrade of the historic timber sash windows.
The development will include a total of 16 guest bedrooms, three principal reception rooms, and restaurant building spread across Millbrook House, the coach house, and a proposed new 1.5 storey building.
The project is to include the construction of a new roof, including dormer windows, and a 2.5 storey corner extension to Millbrook House.
The adaptation of the remaining internal spaces of Millbrook House and the coach house to provide guest accommodation; including upgrade of building services.
The development will consist of the construction of a restaurant building (688 square metres), comprising two single storey buildings and external terraces, at the western part of the site, arranged within gardens and courtyards.
There will be car parking, bicycle parking, soft and hard landscaping, servicing yard, a waste storage shed, alterations to boundary treatment including the provision of a new service entrance and widening of the main entrance, site lighting, wastewater treatment plant and percolation and all associated works above and below ground.
The Irish Times reported that Chef Greene and John Collison were teaming up with several investors to bring Ómós to County Laois.
They describe Ómós as “a travelling caravan of ideas; collaborations of food and innovations; and investigations surrounding what we eat.”
The word comes from the Irish language, meaning homage, duty, and respect.
The investors listed were Daire Hickey, co-founder and managing partner at 150 Bond, a communications consultancy based in New York; Samuel Dennigan, founder and chief executive of plant-based foods brand Strong Roots; and Jean Comer, a US-based family friend of Greene’s
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of the proposed development.
SEE ALSO – Planning permission granted for 99 new houses and créche in Laois village
