Multi-million euro Shamrock Lodge extension gets go ahead

A multi-million euro extension to Athlone"s Shamrock Lodge Hotel has been given final planning approval by An Bord Pleanala. Despite opposition from some local residents, the green light was given last week for the construction of a gym, aerobics suite, swimming pool, health and beauty centre, creche and coffee shop on the Clonown road, along with 96 apartments close to the hotel. However, permission which had been granted by Athlone Town Council for the construction of a further 46 housing units was turned down by the planning authority because of flooding concerns. Local councillor Kieran Molloy welcomed the grant of planning permission, which he described as a significant boost for the west side of the town. 'New developments and particularly residential ones are important for the west side and should be of benefit to the economy of the area, as will the new facilities at the hotel. 'The hotel under the stewardship of Paddy McCaul has been providing an excellent service for years and this development will make it even more attractive,' he commented. Three appeals had been made in the aftermath of last September"s grant of planning permission by Athlone Town Council. These were lodged by the Westlodge Area Residents Association, Breda Fallon and Paul Hannon. In addition, the applicant and well-known local businessman, Mr McCaul, also lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala contesting some of the 58 conditions attached to the planning approval. The local residents" appeals mainly centred on the road infrastructure, traffic impact and the fear of flooding impact on local residences. Bord Pleanala carried out a site inspection on January 28 last, and in its decision it stated that 'the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity'. It added that the project 'would not be prejudicial to public health and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience,' and therefore would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. While permission for 142 housing units had been granted by the Town Council, An Bord Pleanala refused permission for 46 of these units because of a flood risk. The planning authority found that the site of the 46 proposed houses was 'low-lying and prone to flooding and was included on the flood mapping for the area produced by the Office of Public Works.' It said that in order to manage the flood risk for the proposed development 'it would be necessary to substantially raise the land above natural contour levels with imported fill material. 'These works would displace existing flood storage capacity in the area and would create an abrupt and unattractive urban landform in this area,' it stated. A total of 23 conditions were attached to the grant of permission for the remainder of the development, which consists of an extension to the hotel to include a new gym, aerobics suite, swimming pool, coffee shop, health and beauty centre, creche and boiler room, new hotel entrance, and six four storey apartment blocks each containing 16 two-bedroom apartments. In addition, 97 parking spaces are to be provided along with an access road, landscaping and ancillary site works.