Longford developer receives green light from An Bord Pleanála for construction of new hotel in Athlone

A Longford developer has received the green light from An Bord Pleanála to proceed with the construction of a massive 192 bedroom hotel in Athlone.

Three years ago, Mark Cunningham's Avenir Assets Management DAC received the go-ahead from Westmeath County Council for the ambitious development of a €50m nine storey office complex on the outskirts of the midlands town.

In June of 2024, the developer subsequently applied for a change of use and plan from the office building permitted to a hotel and Westmeath planners last November gave the project their seal of approval with sixteen conditions attached.  

Also read: Longford developer given €50m Athlone office block green light

That decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála and today the national independent planning body decided to uphold the decision of Westmeath County Council and give the development the go ahead some revised conditions. 

The proposed hotel is set to be located on a prominent two-acre site (Cloghanboy Homan, and Cloghanboy Strain) just off the N55 Ballymahon Road roundabout and the busy M6.

It is envisaged that the part 8 and part 10 storey hotel would feature 192 bedrooms, lounge, bar, restaurant, gym, spa, conference and meeting room facilities, alongside reception, kitchen, storage, staff welfare and service areas.

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The proposed development contains plant areas (rooftop and integrated room space), bicycle storage and ancillary works including water/wastewater services, surface water drainage, hard and soft landscaping, signage, and all other site development works.

The proposed development will be accessed from the Brawney Road, utilising previously permitted entrances, three storey parking deck and site substation.

Planning permission had been sought for a 5-year period for the hotel development. 

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In November 2024, the project was given planning approval by Westmeath planners subject to 16 conditions, including the payment of over €311,000 in development levies.