A major new development in Letterkenny, which includes a new hotel, has been granted planning permission.
The decision means that a new hotel, bar and restaurant is set to be developed at Lower Main Street.
Voyage Inns Investment Ireland Ltd are planning to revamp some dilapidated properties in the area.
They sought permission from Donegal County Council for the change of use of three existing derelict dwellings to form a new bar and restaurant area with an associated office area to the first floor with elevational amendments to existing street facade.
A rear extension will contain a new restaurant, a function room, toilet areas, stores and associated ancillary facilities. All outhouses and sheds will be demolished to allow for the extension works.
The company is owned by Michael Boyle and has an address at McCafferty’s Bar, The Diamond, Donegal Town.
A new standalone hotel will also be constructed together with all associated development works, while a new car park area will be included to serve the development.
A design statement said that the development would represent: “a significant town regeneration opportunity and seeks to revitalise a currently underutilised and partially derelict urban site through the provision of a high-quality hospitality and tourism development.”
It said that the buildings are currently derelict and in a deteriorated condition.
The statement said: “While the buildings contribute to the historic grain and character of the streetscape, substantial refurbishment and intervention is required to bring the properties back into active use…
“…The proposed hotel development has been designed to maximise the efficient use of the available lands while responding appropriately to the constraints presented by the site topography and surrounding urban context.
“The hotel building incorporates guest accommodation together with associated circulation spaces and ancillary facilities necessary to support the operation of the development.”
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What the proposed hotel would look like
The proposed hotel building underwent some revisions after observations were submitted and also recommendations were received during a request for further information from the Council.
One submission by Cormac Gallagher asked for the removal or disposal of any corrugated asbestos roofing or other hazardous material in accordance with any statutory safety/environmental regulations.
Mr Gallagher said there was a residential population of around 100 people within a proximity of 50m of the proposed developed and said that sound proofing or noise reduction measures should be integrated into the design.
A submission by Liam Mellows, with an address in Co Wicklow, contested that the proposed hotel building is “of inadequate architectural quality.”
He said the building, as proposed, would be “a scar on the Lower Main Street” and further added that: “It does not deliver urban quality, animation, or a positive public realm.”
The Council has granted permission subject to 22 conditions, including that the hotel accommodation units shall be occupied for short-term letting periods of less than 90 days and used solely by tourists / patrons of the parent Hotel as ‘holiday accommodation’ and shall not be used for the purposes of permanent living accommodation.
The buildings are to be noise insulated and external ancillary ‘spill over’ uses such as beer gardens in association with this development shall not be permitted unless otherwise agreed. External music will not be permitted.
The bar opening hours will be confined to 5pm-1am Monday-Thursday and 5pm-2am Friday-Sunday.
The applicant will also have to make a contribution of €253,389.53 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development