Outdoor terrace at Shearwater Hotel Spa approved as built

The Galway County Council has granted the Shearwater Hotel & Spa, operating under CP Leisure Ltd, permission to retain an outdoor terrace that has already been constructed on its Ballinasloe premises. The decision, recorded on 5 May 2026, was issued under a conditional approval, meaning the hotel must comply with a set of stipulated conditions before the terrace can remain in use.

The application, submitted on 16 March 2026, was due for a decision by 10 May 2026. The council acted ahead of schedule, issuing the approval on 5 May. The decision code is listed as CONDITIONAL in the council’s planning register, and the reference number for the file is 2660404. The site in question is located at Dunlo, Canal Drive, Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

The approval covers the terrace area as it currently stands, along with all associated site works that were carried out in conjunction with its construction. The council’s decision notes that the terrace is already built and that the hotel has complied with the relevant planning conditions that were attached to the original planning permission. The conditions that remain in place are aimed at ensuring the terrace’s continued safety, environmental compliance and compatibility with the surrounding area.

The Shearwater Hotel & Spa has been a well‑known accommodation and leisure provider in Ballinasloe for many years. The hotel’s recent expansion plans included the addition of an outdoor terrace to provide guests with a relaxed setting for dining and socialising. The terrace was built in line with the hotel’s existing architectural style and was designed to blend with the surrounding landscape. The council’s decision confirms that the terrace meets the necessary standards for public safety and environmental protection.

The approval comes at a time when the council has been busy reviewing a number of planning applications across County Galway. In the same week, the council granted permission for a new dwelling and domestic garage at Wast Claggernagh in Portumna, and for a revised fully serviced private dwelling house with a waste‑water treatment system on a site in Boherbannagh, Newbridge. Earlier decisions included the demolition of an existing shed and the construction of a domestic dwelling house on a site in Oranmore, and the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage and water treatment system in An tSaoirsin, Seershin, in the Burren. The council has also approved the replacement of all existing roofs with a change of flat roof types to duo‑pitch on a site in Ballinasloe, and the construction of a new slatted cattle shed with a calf creep area and concrete base in Ballinasloe.

These decisions illustrate the council’s ongoing commitment to balancing development with the preservation of the rural character of County Galway. The conditional approval for the Shearwater Hotel & Spa’s terrace is consistent with this approach, ensuring that the hotel’s expansion does not compromise safety or environmental standards.

The conditions attached to the approval are typical of the council’s practice. They usually cover matters such as the maintenance of the terrace’s structural integrity, the management of any drainage or stormwater runoff, and the safeguarding of any nearby trees or natural features. The hotel has been instructed to submit a compliance report within a specified timeframe, and to keep the council informed of any changes that might affect the terrace’s status.

The decision was made by the council’s planning committee, which reviews all applications for new development, extensions and alterations to existing structures. The committee’s role is to ensure that all planning applications meet the statutory requirements and the local development plan. In this case, the committee found that the terrace’s construction was in line with the relevant planning policies and that the hotel had addressed any potential concerns raised during the application process.

The approval is a positive development for the Shearwater Hotel & Spa, as it allows the hotel to continue offering its guests an attractive outdoor space without the need for further planning applications. It also demonstrates the council’s willingness to support local businesses that contribute to the economic vitality of Ballinasloe and the wider County Galway area.

The council’s decision is now recorded in the public planning register, and the full details of the approval, including the conditions and the relevant planning documents, can be accessed through the council’s online portal. The decision is also listed in the local news archive under the reference 2660404.

For full details see the Galway County Council planning file 2660404.

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