Galway Bay fm newsroom - Controversial plans to redevelop a hotel in the west side of the city have been given the go-ahead.
Permission was previously granted by the city council to change the ground floor of the Glen Oaks Hotel at Bishop O’ Donnell Road into more bedrooms.
However, an appeal against that decision was lodged with An Bord Pleanála.
The project led by Michael McGrath will involve changing the ground floor bar and restaurant of the Glen Oaks Hotel into 13 new en-suite bedrooms.
The development also includes the conversion of unused attic space to provide 6 new en-suite bedrooms.
In an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, it’s argued that the development would be more consistent with a hostel and not a hotel with more bedrooms and a lack of bar and restaurant.
The appellant also argues that the existing and proposed car parking spaces are significantly below minimum requirements.
An Bord Pleanála has now decided to grant permission in general accordance with the inspector's recommendations.
A list of seven conditions are attached.
One states the common room is to be used exclusively by residents and not by visiting members of the public.
The developer is also required to pay a financial contribution to the local authority in respect of public infrastructure and facilities.
