Multi-million euro Glasson hotel expansion plans withdrawn

A planning application for a €20 million expansion of the Glasson Lakehouse hotel was withdrawn by the developer last week.

Plans for the major development in Killinure - which would include a new gym with swimming pool, a spa building, cinema, wedding barn, golf clubhouse, and 30 eco cabins on stilts - were lodged with Westmeath County Council in mid-September.

The council was due to make a decision on whether or not to approve the plans by Wednesday of this week (November 11) but, exactly a week before that date, the planning application was pulled.

An email to the council on behalf of the developer, which was sent by Dublin-based Cathal O'Neill & Co Architects, didn't give a reason why the plans were withdrawn, or indicate whether or not they would be revised or resubmitted in the future.

The email simply stated: "On behalf of our clients, Glasson Golf and Country Club Ltd, we wish to withdraw the above application."

The Westmeath Independent contacted a spokesperson for the developer this week but at the time of writing we had not received a response.

The planning application submitted in September said it was hoped this development would transform the hotel into "one of the leading tourist venues in the country."

Last year, developer Paddy McKillen Jnr's Oakmount firm acquired the hotel on the scenic shores of Lough Ree for a reported €9 million.

The deal saw the operation of the hotel and golf club pass from the Reid family to the hospitality wing of McKillen's business, Press Up Entertainment.