New 134-bedroom city centre hotel approved

The City Council has given the go-ahead for the proposed 134-bedroom hotel on the site of the former Shannon Dry Cleaners in Bohermore.

The plans were scaled back in July from 139 bedrooms after planners described them as “overbearing”.

Salthill-based developer Georgina O’Mahony of Highgate Properties has been given permission to redevelop the fire-gutted site and two adjoining properties.

The plans involve a two, three and four-storey hotel over lower ground floor level in two blocks fronting onto Bohermore and the rear of the site. They also include the conversion of the old Galway-Clifden railway tunnel under the site to a feature lounge.

Following the revisions to the plans, the City Council approved the application, attaching a series of conditions to the permission.

They have ordered that prior to work starting, the developer must pay a total of almost €350,000 to the Council towards the cost of providing services and for public transport facilities.

Planners also stipulated that an archaeologist must be employed on site to carry out pre-development testing and excavations – no construction work can be carried out until a report is submitted to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and permission to proceed is granted.

A landscaping plan must also be agreed with the Council, and the developer will be responsible for the replacement of any failed stock for three years. At least three suitable ‘urban’ trees must be included at the front of the building.

Demolition and construction work has been restricted to between 8am and 6pm Mondays to Fridays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Planners have also ordered that a wheel-washing facility must be installed on the site for machinery to prevent dirt being transferred to public roadways.

The architects told the Council: “By removing the expansive, steeply pitched roofs and by setting back the top floor, the height and appearance has been reduced and the entire proposal looks better proportioned and integrated into the site.

“The main façade remains subdivided into four bays to keep the original purpose of following the language of the streetscape, interspersed between white render and natural Irish limestone

“The revised proposal makes a very positive contribution to the street, reinstating a building onto the established building line that will incorporate good quality materials, well-proportioned facades and appropriate scale.”

In the original proposal, a wing of three floors over lower ground floor was planned for the rear of 86 Bohermore (a Protected Structure which was once a pub). However, this was considered unacceptable because of negative visual impact.

One floor has now been removed and the pitched roof replaced with a flat one. Changes have also been made to the vehicular access archway which is now a “more dynamic and interesting place”, including an arched timber ceiling feature.

There will be 13 parking spaces (including one for disabled use) and eight bicycle spaces.