Ireland: Cornacloy Property Holdings has received planning consent from An Bord Pleanála for an apartment building in Galway city centre to be converted to an aparthotel, going against its own Inspector’s recommendation.
The council had previously refused planning permission for the development back in 2022, stating that the loss of long-term accommodation in the city centre would be unacceptable.
The appeal against this decision stated that hotel and tourism uses are also appropriate for CC zoned land, and that it is intended that the self-catering units would be linked to a local hotel. It also stated that despite being located in a rent pressure zone, a tourism use is more appropriate for the city core, and enhancing the area’s commercial potential.
An Bord Pleanála’s inspector recommended that the city council’s original decision be upheld, stating that allowing the change of use would conflict with the City Development Plan and national policy.
The Bord ultimately decided not to follow the inspector’s recommendation, stating that it was taking into account the past hotel use of this site prior to the current building, and the CC zoning objective.
