BREAKING: Plans for landmark seven-storey hotel in Kilkenny City

Spark Way Limited have submitted plans to Kilkenny County Council seeking to construct a new seven-storey hotel in the heart of Kilkenny City.
The site, currently used as a 45-space car park, extends to 0.33 hectares (0.82 acres), and is zoned 'general business' under the Kilkenny City & Environs Development Plan 2014-2020.
CIÉ are the owners of the site and have been seeking to develop the site in recent years, previously inviting interested parties to bid in a tender process back in 2019.
Plans submitted to Kilkenny County Council on Wednesday seek to conduct clearance works on the site and the construction of a seven-storey hotel (8,221sq.m) comprising 99 en-suite bedrooms.
The hotel sought will have a ground floor restaurant and bar, hotel foyer and reception, gym, a first floor function room, meeting rooms, an outdoor terrace and a fifth floor bar/restaurant with outdoor terraces and balcony.
Also included in the plans is a 6th floor outdoor swimming pool area and bar/restaurant with outdoor terrace.
A public plaza area is also proposed along the west of the site with a vehicle set down area proposed along the Dublin Road.
The proposal includes 'green roofs', 18 bicycle parking spaces, an ESB substation and landscaping and drainage works.
A decision on the plans is due from Kilkenny County Council by January 19, 2023.
