Meath County Council grants permission for 94-bedroom hotel at Balgill Navan, Co. Meath

In context

It is one of 4 hotel applications Meath County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 151 nationally. Of the 317 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 88% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 21 February 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Meath County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

modifications to the previous permitted development Meath Co Co Planning Reg Ref No. 21 /395 amended by Planning Reg Ref No. 23/ 448. The development now proposed provides for internal and external changes and 2 new bedrooms giving a total of 94 bedrooms includes: Basement Level: amendments within the permitted hotel Extension Structure; 1. Extension of the service plant area (17sq.m) and repositioning of the external access stairs to the south east facade 2. Lowering of the external levels and enlarging vented grills to allow for plant access into the basement 3. Minor internal alteration including new steps into the plant room from the restaurant level ,repositioned door to stairwell and alterations to the design of the aquarium Ground Floor amendments within the Existing Structure include 1. Change of use from offices to a bedroom (no. 93) in the existing stand-alone building to the north west of the existing hotel building 2. Relocation of steps and platform lift into the bar 3. Alterations to Porters Office including the removal of laundry machinery 4. Previous approved openings in existing approved structure remain intact Proposed Extension Structure 1. Two new escape stairs from the upper floor bedrooms. No's 03 and 04 2. New viewing gallery from the aquarium into the basement and aquarium redesigned The proposed works at ground floor level provide for a reduction in the extended floor area of the permitted hotel by 28.5 sq.m. First Floor amendments include; within the existing Structure 1. Change of use from offices to a bedroom (no. 94) with previous mezzanine floor infilled to provide an ensuite bathroom in the north west standalone building including an external staircase and 2 new first floor windows 2. Within suite10 additional bedroom space over the entrance arch (a previous plant room) and associated protected escape corridor 3. Redesign of Ensuite No.14. and various minor interior changes including previous permitted existing wall openings now retained 4. Changes to ensuite No. 17 with door opening swopped to the other side of the wall, the removal of a ramp on the first floor corridor level Within the permitted extension structure. 1. The first floor laundry redesigned as back of house staff canteen and changing rooms including washing facilities 2. Two new escape stairs have been introduced from the upper floor bedrooms No's 3 and 4 3. The aquarium has been redesigned including an enlarged plan