Netterville and Victoria Terrace Architectural Conservation Area

Historical Development

Victoria and Netterville Terrace are large terraces which dominate the coastline of Laytown. These sea-facing terraces became popular during the late nineteenth century, when the arrival of the railway made the coast more accessible. There are a number of these terraces along the strand at Bettystown and Laytown.

Summary of Special character

The special character of this ACA is a result of the combination of its built fabric, coastal setting and historical development. Their orientation towards the sea and back to front relationship with the road is a reminder of the development of the area.

While the houses are of modest design, Netterville Terrace was evidently built as a single designed terrace in the late 19th century, in a vernacular late Georgian style, while Victoria Terrace displays distinctive features of the early 20th century – in particular, the canted bay windows, which are a feature of other houses of the period in Bettystown/Laytown. 

The materials used in their construction – which are evidenced in the surviving original boundary walls, display the use of locally available materials and craftsmanship and strengthen the relationship between the buildings and their setting.

Objectives:

1. To preserve the character of the terraces.
2. To protect the open nature of the relationship between the buildings and the seafront. 
3. To require the preservation and re-instatement of traditional details and materials on existing buildings and the streetscape where  improvements or maintenance works are being carried out. 

A detailed statement of character and planning guidance is available to download from the website.