Glasson hotel lodges new planning application for major revamp project

The new owner of the Glasson Lakehouse hotel is seeking planning permission for a major redevelopment, some aspects of which have already been completed, that it said would amount to an investment of more than €20 million.

The former Glasson Country House Hotel and Golf Club changed hands in 2019, having been acquired from the local Reid family by developer Paddy McKillen Jr's Oakmount company for a reported €9 million.

An initial planning application for a large-scale redevelopment of the property in Killinure was lodged in September of last year, but was subsequently withdrawn by the hotel in November.

The new owner is now seeking retention permission from Westmeath County Council for more than a dozen changes made to the property.

In the new planning application, lodged on October 8, the Glasson Lakehouse owner sought retention permission for developments that included the installation of an outdoor swimming pool, excavation works for a proposed banqueting room, the installation of a 'prototype' eco-cabin, a barbecue pavilion, and an enclosure for use as a paddock for farm animals.

The developer is also seeking planning permission for a further 13 developments, including 24 eco-cabins on stilts, a seven-bedroom extension, a single-storey banqueting room, changes to the entrance lobby, and the addition of balconies to some of the bedrooms.

A two-storey gymnasium and swimming pool is planned which, the application said, would be "one of the largest and best-equipped" gyms in the country.

In addition, permission is being sought for a five-bedroom "owner's house" on the property, with the planning application stating that the owner planned to move on site with his family to oversee the hotel's development.

"The applicant's family has been central to the operation of a number of world-famous luxury hotels, notably Claridges, The Berkeley and The Connaught," the application stated.

"In France they have developed Chateau La Coste... central to the operation of Chateau La Coste is the original Villa, which is the owner's private family home, allowing family members to maintain hands-on management of the facility.

"The applicant intends to be equally dedicated to the development of the Lakehouse at Glasson. For this reason, it is (his) intention to move, with his young family, to live on the Glasson property in order to personally oversee the development of the project into the future.

"Without such an immediate connection he believes the project as envisaged cannot happen and will only be a limited success."

Referring to the 'local need' requirement for developing one-off houses in rural areas, the application said, "the proposal for a house should be considered in the context of the entire application which represents a major investment in the tourism infrastructure of the Athlone region expected to exceed €20m."

The application said the new owner hoped "to build on the good work carried out by his predecessors, the Reid family."

"It is intended to develop the venue as the pre-eminent destination for family holidays, weddings, conferences and golf. The location is ideal as a conference venue being almost equidistant from many parts of Ireland," it stated.

"It is also intended to upgrade the golf course and to re-boot its image as a premier golfing destination, marketing it as the spectacular course that it is, nationally and internationally."

Westmeath County Council is due to make a decision on the application by December 2.