British billionaire James Dyson to press ahead with renovations to Waterford estate

British billionaire James Dyson has been granted planning permission to proceed with the latest alterations to his Waterford estate.

Mr Dyson purchased Ballynatray House and its 850-acre estate in west Waterford for €29.25 million last year.

Since then, he has made a number of alterations to the property, including the restoration of gatehouses, demolition works and the installation of an internal lift.

Plans for a helicopter landing area on the grounds were approved by Waterford City and County Council earlier this year, but have since been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

However, the council has in recent days granted Mr Dyson permission to proceed with other proposed changes to the property.

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These will include works on the folly, which is a decorative structure located to the south-east corner of the stable building.

A mono-pitched slate roof, along with wall cappings and timber-framed windows are to be installed.

Works will also take place at the upper walled garden. The existing gravel paths and timber steps are set to be removed and replaced with a full-size tennis court, with surrounding steel post net fencing.

Associated ground regrading works and all ancillary site development works above and below ground also form part of the plans.

The planning application was submitted by the manager of Ballynatray Estate, Christopher Nicholson, on September 2.

It is the fourth such application that has been lodged since Mr Dyson purchased the estate last year.

Mr Dyson is best known for inventing the bagless vacuum cleaner and for founding Dyson Ltd in 1991.

Today, Dyson is one of the best-known vacuum companies in the world and sells products in over 80 countries worldwide.

Having maintained his ownership of the company, Mr Dyson’s net worth stands at an estimated €14 billion.