An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to plans by hoteliers, Ray Byrne and Eoin Doyle for a four storey 78 bedroom 'business hotel' for Rathmines.
The appeals board has granted planning permission to Rathmines Hospitality Ltd for the hotel at 10 Wynnefield Rd, Rathmines despite the opposition of local residents and businesses.
Five separate appeals were lodged against last year's Dublin City Council decision to grant planning permission including ones by the Rathgar Residents Association, Eamon Grace of Graces's pub, Rathmines, Paul Byrne of Lenehan's Bar and Grill and a joint appeal by locals, Liam and Orla Lenehan, Roisin Lenehan, Kate Lenehan and Leah Lenehan.
Businesswoman and local resident, Fiona McHugh also voiced her opposition against the scale of the scheme in her own submissions to Dublin City Council and to An Bord Pleanála.
Husband and wife team, Paul Byrne and Fiona McHugh co-founded and formerly headed up the Fallon and Byrne gourmet food business.
Board Inspector in the case, Jane Dennehy recommended that the top floor containing 28 rooms be omitted from the hotel scheme but this condition was not included by the board in its decision.
"Although the development is otherwise considered acceptable, the omission would also contribute to a reduced intensity of development and height raised in the third-party objections," Ms Dennehy said.
Ray Byrne and Eoin Doyle already operate a number of hotels and guesthouses across the country including the Wineport Lodge at Glasson, Co Westmeath and Stauntons on the Green in Dublin.
In giving the proposal the go-ahead, the appeals board ruled that the planned hotel would not seriously injure the visual amenities and character of the surrounding historic built environment.
Lenehan’s Bar and Grill is partially located to the rear of the application site and as part of his opposition against the scheme, Paul Byrne claimed that the hotel is excessive in intensity and is disproportionate relative to the site size and its narrow configuration.
Mr Byrne also argued that the entirety of his business’s outdoor dining space will be overshadowed by the hotel towering over the property.
In her submission, Ms McHugh contended that the scheme is overwhelming and the need for a business hotel at the location outside the city centre is questionable and a more modest sized proposal might be appropriate.
Planning documents lodged with the application by planning consultant, Simon Clear stated that the concept "is a business hotel in the heart of the key district centre in Rathmines".
Mr Clear stated that the development "will provide high quality modern business hotel accommodation which is not currently provided for within the central urban block".
Mr Clear further stated that the hotel "will introduce a new use to the site and to the street".
