Plans for an expansion of Dublin's Central Hotel that will turn the city's Rí-Rá nightclub and Globe bar into a "speak-easy" and a retail outlet, respectively, have been put on hold due to objections.
According to The Irish Times, three separate appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pleanála against Dublin City Council's decision to approve plans for the proposed expansion of the Central Hotel, which would involve extensively reconfiguring the Central Hotel along with associated premises at numbers 11 to 16 on the capital's South Great George's Street to transform the hotel into a five-storey, 125-bedroom venue.
The three parties that have lodged appeals are Philip O'Reilly, Rodney Senior and Colin Galligan.
In his appeal, O'Reilly said that "the city is awash with unoccupied hotel rooms and this scenario is not going to change anytime soon", while Calligan's appeal, which was lodged by Hughes Planning and Consultants, stated that the proposed development would result in a proliferation of non-retail and nighttime associated uses, and lead to the further degradation of the retail core.
Green Party Objection
Meanwhile, in another objection to the proposed development, Green Party councillor Claire Byrne said, "We have already witnessed an excessive erosion of our club culture in the city, in particular over the past few years, mostly to make way for hotels and student accommodation.
"We are running out of places to dance."
Dublin City Council Planning Report
In its planning report, which recommended the approval of planning permission for the proposed development, Dublin City Council said, "The proposal retains a nighttime use in the basement, retains the [Central Hotel's] Library Bar and…will ensure a balance between shopping, leisure and cultural, and that non-retail uses will not dominate this section of South Great George's Street."
Decision Due Date
A decision on the appeal is due in April.
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
