Ballinrobe hotel planning decision due next month

Ciara Galvin

A PLANNING decision for a 46 bedroom hotel in Ballinrobe is due at the end of next month according to Mayo County Council.
Planning was lodged to the Council on June 30 and a decision on the development, planned for the protected site of Cranmore House, is expected on August 24.
The application for the development, lodged by Nebor Ltd, consists of a 46 bedroom hotel, function room, bars, restaurant, health suite, gym and swimming pool.
The proposed development, which will be adjacent to Bowgate Street in the town, will also include retail space, eight residential apartments, 19 residential apartments for the elderly and eight terraced houses along with seven dwelling houses.
A basement level car park and deck car park are also planned for the site.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the proposed development, local Fianna FΡil councillor Damien Ryan said he ‘broadly welcomes’ the development for the town.
“It’s something the town really needs. It’s great to see the application being lodged. I’m 100 percent behind it and the Council as a whole would be looking at it extremely positively,” said Cllr Ryan, adding that it was an ‘ideal site’ close to the town centre.
Cllr Ryan said the hotel may well reverse the ‘demise and stagnation’ in Ballinrobe and said other facilities and services may follow the hotel.
“All small towns are going through turmoil and Ballinrobe should have had a hotel years ago,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the construction of a primary care centre has got under way on the Claremorris Road outside the town.
The centre will comprise of two GP practices, a range of services including physiotherapy, radiography and dental services.
The centre is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017 and will be staffed by approximately 15 people.
“I think it’s a positive thing for Ballinrobe. Construction has to be broadly welcomed,” said Cllr Ryan.