Developer of €180m Wexford resort remains ‘fully committed’ to the project despite planning refusal

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The developer of a proposed five-star hotel in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford has said he remains “fully committed” to the project despite the national planning authority’s decision to refuse planning application for the €180m resort.

In August of last year, local developer Rob Roche submitted an application for a tourism resort hotel in Kilmore Quay which was described as a “world-class sustainable tourism destination” for Co Wexford.

The proposed development consisted of 205 rooms, two restaurants, a spa/leisure complex, 55 family lodges, staff accommodation, arts and crafts spaces, play facilities, crazy golf, and padel courts. In addition, the plans catered for 514 car parking spaces, eight bus parking space and 175 cycle spaces across the site.

Although Wexford County Council (WCC) approved the development in October of last year, that decision was subsequently appealed by a number of residents in Kilmore Quay and, as a result, was subject to inspection by An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) on February 24 of this year.

A total of 61 third party observations were received in relation to the planning application. The concerns raised in the submissions primarily related to the scale of development and its impact on residential amenity, biodiversity, water infrastructure and traffic.

Some of the more detailed submissions noted that the hotel would effectively turn a “working fishing village” into a “mini-town” and that, when full, the hotel guests would “more than double the population of Kilmore Quay”.

While additional fears regarding water supply and increased strain on the wastewater treatment network were raised by residents, Mr Roche responded by stating that a “1.6km upgrade of the water network would be required to support the development and that the cost of the works would be funded by the developer.”

Lastly, concerns that the hotel would “dominate the skyline and visually overwhelm the existing low rise settlement pattern of Kilmore Quay” were raised by those opposing the development.

Following its inspection, carried out by a Ms Ciara McGuinness, ACP refused planning permission for the hotel, citing a number of reasons in the process.

ACP said Mr Roche had not sufficiently demonstrated a need to “locate the proposed development in this unique scenic location” and that the planned hotel was “not considered to be respectful of the character of the area”.

“As such, it is considered that the proposed development would fundamentally diminish the character of this coastal rural site, and the wider Kilmore Quay Area,” read the ACP order, signed by Planning Commissioner Liam McGee.

“The proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for further similar development at such locations, and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Further concerns were raised regarding “increased risk to the safety of pedestrians and other road users”, “unsustainable travel and mobility patterns” in the village, and “traffic hazard(s)” were the hotel to be built.

Given Co Wexford’s ongoing problems with coastal erosion, ACP contended that not only was the hotel situated in an area at risk of erosion but that it also had the potential to negatively impact the biodiversity of the surrounding environment.

“It is considered that inadequate surveys and investigations have been carried out in relation to breeding/winter birds, that there is an incomplete evaluation of impacts, and that mitigation measures are inadequate and non-specific,” the order read. “It is, therefore, not possible to reach clear, precise and definitive findings regarding the exclusion of adverse effects on the site integrity of the Saltee Islands Special Area of Conservation (SAC).”

Reacting to ACP’s decision, Mr Roche said he and his team were not willing to give up on the prospect of delivering this hotel for Co Wexford.

“While we are disappointed with the decision, particularly given the many positive benefits of the project, as well as the strong level of local support the proposal received, this remains a transformative opportunity for Kilmore Quay,” he said.

“Our ambition is to create a tourism resort destination that compliments the character of the area while supporting local businesses, creating employment opportunities and delivering ongoing environmental, social and economic benefits for generations to come.

“We remain fully committed to progressing this project and are confident that by making the necessary amendments, the Kilmore Quay Integrated Resort Hotel can resume, creating a much-needed asset for the local area and complementing both Wexford and Ireland’s tourism offering.”

The proposed resort was designed by a team led by Stephen Carr Architects, and he supported the view that the hotel retained the support of the vast majority of those in Kilmore Quay.

“(This is) extremely disappointing given the economic need and benefit to Kilmore Quay and the wider region, especially since 95 pc of the locals were in support of the proposed development and realised the benefits such a resort would bring for generations,” said Mr Carr.