Green light for 170-bedroom multi-storey Bohermore hotel
A major hotel development, which will provide over 170 bedrooms close to the city centre, has been granted permission by the higher planning authority despite opposition from a number of quarters.
This will involve the demolition of Tonery’s Bar in Bohermore to make way for the new multi-storey hotel. The approval means there will now be two hotels in the immediate vicinity, with the Dean Hotel located close by.
The decision by Galway City Council to grant planning permission for the three-storey hotel became the subject of an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) by planning watchdog An Taisce.
There were a considerable number of submissions at the planning stage, many of which were positive and in favour of the new hotel. The plan was submitted by Carra Shore Hotel (Galway) Limited.
However, there were others who were less enthusiastic, with several complaining about the density and scale of the proposal, the potential traffic impact and the fear of overshadowing neighbouring properties.
An Taisce, in its submission, stated that given the lack of housing and student accommodation, the construction of another hotel in Galway could not be justified.
“Galway is a growing city and permissions for housing have not kept pace with an increased population. Construction and occupation of new office buildings means workers will require accommodation,” it stated.
The group argued that there were already 13 operational hotels in and around the city centre that provided 1,133 bedrooms.
Pictured: What the completed hotel will look like.