Weston Airport , Lucan, Co. Dublin

Location
The property is located 17km to the west of Dublin City Centre, 1 km south of Leixlip and 3.5 km north east of Celbridge. Weston Airport is located in the rural area that immediately surrounds the urban sprawl of Dublin and straddles the border between South Dublin County and County Kildare. The area is rural in nature, with some residential development nearby, and the Citywest development scheme located 14km to the south-east. The property only lies 500 metres south from the point, at which the N4 changes into the M4, which provides excellent
access to the west of the country and into the centre of Dublin. The property is also situated 7km away from junction
7 of the M50.

Description
Weston Airport extends to approximately 103.6ha (256 acres) in total incorporating in the region of 9,250 sq m of developed property comprising an operations building and traffic control tower, three aircraft hangars, a large house (Westonpark House), 28 stables and agricultural land. The key operational buildings were built within the last 5 years.

Weston Airport is currently operated as a private airfield, the main use being for private chartered flights to/from Dublin and for private flying and flying training, both for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The tarmac runway is in good condition, oriented roughly north east – south west in direction and extending to 924 metres approximately.
The hangars are of recent construction and to a high specification. The tower is connected to the Dublin radar system enabling safer operation of the airfield and there are approximately 150 car spaces throughout the site.

Westonpark House comprises an attractive two storey period property of traditional stone and render construction under a pitched slate covered roof. The front elevation incorporates an attractive stone portico entrance and the elevation features a wrought iron balcony at first floor level. The house is in need of refurbishment and modernisation. Immediately to the front of the house is a gravelsurfaced parking area for approximately 3 to 4 cars with gardens
laid to lawn at the front, sides and rear of the house. The gardens are surrounded by miniature hedge boundaries with mature trees and shrubbery along the perimeters. There are walled paddocks to the front of the property together with ancillary outbuildings and stables to the rear.

Town Planning /
Development Potential
The property lies within the boundaries of both South Dublin and Kildare Counties. Under the South Dublin County Development Plan 2010 – 2016 the property is zoned Objective “GB” Greenbelt: “To provide a ‘Green Belt’ between
development areas”. According to the Plan, the only uses permitted in principle within this zoned area include:
“aerodrome/airfield, church, halting sites / group housing or open space, although uses such as agricultural buildings, kennels, caravan parks, hospitals, hotels or residential”, inter alia, could be allowed subject to a planning consent.
Within Kildare County Development Plan 2011 – 2017, Chapter 6 outlines the council’s approach to Aerodromes and has a number of specific policies. GA 3 states that any increase or change in use will require a full assessment carried out by the Kildare County Council on the impact that may arise from the action. GA 1 does encourage the ‘extension’ or ‘improvement’ of any airport related buildings, offices or ancillary areas. GA 1 also states that the Council will consult and coordinate with South Dublin Council in all matters relating to the airport.

Title
We understand that the property is mainly held freehold. Approximately 1.11ha (2.73 acres) is held under possessory title only.

Tenancy
The office facility and available hangarage, whether on the grass, apron and hangars are well let, mainly to local and national flying clubs or training companies. They are generating a sizable rental income