LATEST: Decision made on proposed landmark hotel in the heart of Kilkenny

An Coimisiún Pleanála have decided to refuse planning permission for the proposed development of a landmark new hotel in the heart of Kilkenny City.

Plans to develop the hotel on a site (including the demolition of the existing restaurant building) at Pennyfeather Lane/Pudding Lane were originally granted permission subject to conditions by Kilkenny County Council however the local authority's decision was subsequently appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

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The national planning body ruled that: "The proposed development by reason of its overall size, scale and mass together with its close proximity to residential development to the immediate north would, notwithstanding the omission of a floor as conditioned by the planning authority, seriously injure the residential amenities of adjoining properties and result in a development which excessively overshadows and has an overbearing impact on residential development in the vicinity."

The Commission also had some concerns regarding the servicing arrangements for the development given the 'general narrow dimensions of the laneways serving the site and the proliferation of on-street parking currently along the laneway'.

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The Commission also noted the inspector's concerns regarding the absence of an AA screening report particularly in light of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage submission which requested and AA screening exercise.

However, having regard to the substantive issues raised in the reason for refusal, the Commission decided not to pursue these matters further.

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