Restaurant site owners loath to dish out €25k
The imposition of a development charge of more than €25,000 could jeopardise the development of offices and a restaurant in Salthill.
It is planned to transform a former hotel into office space and a restaurant but the owners say that the development charges are punishing.
City planners have given the go ahead for the redevelopment of the former Glendawn Hotel in Salthill into offices and a restaurant.
The plans involve an extension to the building at Lenaboy Gardens to make way for a café and restaurant over two floors with external seating and a balcony area.
There is also an office element to the plans – it will become the new headquarters for applicants Eurotiger, part of property asset management company Tiger and Co, which is owned by businessman Chris McGrath from the Claddagh.
There had been plans to transform the building into a medical centre but work stopped when the previous owner ran into funding difficulties in the property market crash.
But the owners now ask why is a development contribution demanded in view of the fact that it would have been paid in the past.
The matter is now a subject for consideration by the Planning Appeals Board. The owners want the development contribution waived and a decision on this will be made in the middle of the year.
The owners have taken exception to two conditions which have been imposed by Galway City Council. They both relate to development contributions.
In order for the development to proceed, the owners are required to pay contributions to the tune of €25,600. They are vehemently opposed to these charges.
They refer to the fact that when the former hotel was converted into office space back in 2007, there were no development charges.
“In the interim, the property has been vacant and has been broken into, vandalised, stripped down for materials by thieves and been used for drinking parties and other antisocial behaviour.
“This, combined with leaks and incomplete building works, has left the property in a derelict and structurally unstable condition.
“The proposal represents an opportunity to revitalise the property and this part of Lenaboy Gardens and, hopefully, will act as a catalyst for further improvements on the adjacent main street.
“The office and café areas are modest and both will act as local service centres which will complement and service Salthill and the adjacent residential area,” it is stated in the planning files.
The restaurant will have seating for up to 70 people.