A planning application to redevelop the former La Touche Hotel in Greystones has been approved by Wicklow County Council. The former seaside hotel, which has been described as “the most prominent building in Greystones”, closed its doors in 2004.
The new permission provides for the redevelopment of the original hotel into five four-storey townhouses and the building of a number of residential blocks rising up to four storeys in height, on the Cliff Road side of the site.
Recent side and rear extensions to the original hotel are to be demolished, including a waterfront conference centre and function rooms. In addition, two former cottages on Marine Terrace are to be redeveloped for use as shops and/or offices. Public open space including a play area, seats and a lawn are to be provided on Cliff Road and the permission also allows for the realignment of parking spaces, boundaries and footpaths.
In 2005, planning permission was obtained to develop a new hotel and 85 apartments on the site. However, the development never took place and a receiver was appointed by AIB in 2008.
The former hotel was sold last year by AIB and Nama, which held multi-million euro loans on the property and some adjoining houses that had been brought into the site. The new planning permission was granted to Kavere La Touche Ltd, with an address at Molesworth Place, Dublin 2.
According to An Taisce’s heritage officer Ian Lumley, the hotel was built in about 1900 to designs by McCurdy & Mitchell following the arrival of the railway in Greystones.
Local Fine Gael councillor Derek Mitchell said the former hotel was the most prominent building in Greystones, but had been derelict for more than 10 years. He said he welcomed the decision, particularly as the council had negotiated amendments to the original application to make it less intrusive on surrounding properties.
However, The Irish Times understands a number of parties who do not wish to be named are planning to ask An Bord Pleanála to overturn the permission on the basis that the additional blocks of housing screen the listed building and impact negatively on its protected status as well as vistas and prospects.
