Green light for redevelopment of former Cork hotel

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light to a plan for the redevelopment of a former Cork hotel, with the creation of up to 40 new jobs.

The appeals board has sanctioned a proposal by developers Tulsan for the retention, modification and completion of a beachside ‘aparthotel’ on the 0.7 hectare site of the former Atlantic Manor hotel at Garrettstown.

The original hotel was demolished in 2006 and an application granted to redevelop the site. However, a dispute saw the development halted, with the planning permission subsequently expiring in 2021.

Since then a partially built steel structure has remained in place on the site.

In February 2021 Tulsan Ltd lodged an application with Cork County Council to redevelop the site, which was later withdrawn.

In February of last year Tulsan resubmitted a proposal for the redevelopment of the four-story unfinished hotel structure, incorporating 20 hotel bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, and 24 apartments over three levels. Following a request for further information, the authority granted permission for the redevelopment last November.

However, this was referred to the appeals board after third party submissions were received, raising concerns including land ownership disputes and issues in relation to a wastewater plant failure and maintenance of same.

An Bord Pleanála has subsequently held up Cork County Council’s decision to grant permission for the development with a number of conditions. These include that the proposed apartments units be used only as short-stay tourist accommodation with a maximum occupancy of two months, and that they not be used as self-contained permanent residential units or student accommodation.

Welcoming the news Bandon-Kinsale area Fine Gael county councillor John Micheal Foley said it was a fantastic development that would bring both tourism and employment to the area.