County Council take action over ‘refugee village’ without planning permission [Video]

Wicklow County Council has ordered the owners of an allegedly unauthorised refugee village in County Wicklow to demolish up to 65 houses – 50 more homes than previously exposed by the Irish Mail on Sunday, writes Valerie Hanley.

The houses were built on the grounds of Kippure Manor Estate in Blessington without any apparent planning permission.

Wicklow County Council has now taken legal action to ensure that the scenic property, which is close to a protected environmental area, is restored to its original condition.

The local authority issued an enforcement notice on May 10 warning the owners they must stop building work within five days. It also ordered the demolition of 65 houses.

Last month, it was revealed how a refugee village had been built on the site despite two warning letters being issued by Wicklow County Council about alleged planning breaches.

The first of these warnings was issued in June 2022, just four months after Russia invaded Ukraine …