Big Extension to The Portmarnock Hotel Granted Planning Permission

12.08.2005

After the developers agreed to changes in the original plan, the major extension to the Portmarnock Hotel has

been granted planning permission.

After concerns expressed over the possible loss of protected views from areas surrounding the hotel.the

development has been reduced in height.

The major four-storey new bedroom wing was reduced in height when the developers agreed to remove a

proposed penthouse suite from the wing.

Concerns expressed by the Transportation Department of Fingal County Council over the number of parking

spaces included in the development and the use of a proposed second entrance.

Conditions attached to the grant of permission call on the developers to restrict the use of the second entrance to

emergencies only and ask that efforts be made to increase the number of parking spaces from the proposed 40,

closer to the Transportation Department’s preferred number of 68.

Some difficulty surrounds the provision of extra car parking spaces on the sight and Parks Division has insisted

that mature trees on the site are protected during excavation works in the new car park.

There are several important mature trees on the site, and Fingal County Council has insisted that the developers

lodge a €100,000 ‘tree bond’ that guarantees protection of the trees for at least three growing seasons after the

work is completed.

The new development will mean the demolition of part of the existing conference and function room wing and the

construction of a new single storey conference and function area measuring over 1,000 sq metres.

A single storey to the existing restaurant is planned including a new entrance and terrace area at roof level over

the restaurant.

The proposed four storey bedroom wing was reduced by removing the penthouse level, leaving 39 new

bedrooms spread over three floors.

The developers have been required to submit €206,223 to Fingal County Council to compensate the local

authority for the provision of public services to the site.

The site lies within a ‘G’ zoning which aims to ‘protect and improve a high amenity area’.

A hotel is not one of the acceptable developments within a G zoning but the council judged that because this was

an extension to an existing hotel with an established use that the development complies with Development Plan

policies.

The planning assessment states: ‘Although a hotel is not an acceptable use within the zone under the land use

zonings as outlined in the current County Development Plan, it is considered that the expansion of the

Portmarnock Hotel which is an established use would be in accordance with general Development Plan policy in

terms of improving facilities for sustainable tourism in high amenity areas.’

There was one objection to the development lodged Beach Park and Burrow Court Residents who felt that

protected views of the beach, Jameson House and the dunes would be interfered with.

With the developers agreement to reduce the height of the bedroom wing and change the car parking layout and

design, Fingal County Council granted permission for the extension.

(IIndependent Aug 2005)