Citwest Hotel’s plan to increase its capacity to 6,000 meets objections
By Maurice Garvey
THE late Jim Mansfield’s widow Ann Mansfield, has objected to An Bord Pleanála over plans by Citywest Hotel to increase the capacity of its conference centre to 6,000 patrons.
Citywest Hotel received planning permission from South Dublin County Council last May, to substantially increase the capacity of its conference centre to host public concerts.
Citywest’s new owner, Brehon Capital Partners, which also owns the Powerscourt Hotel in Wicklow, wants to turn its €29 million purchase into a music venue for 6,000 patrons.
The centre can currently hold up to 4,161 patrons and the proposals represents a 44 per cent increase in capacity for the busy Saggart premises.
Mrs Mansfield, who lives approximately 140 metres from the conference centre in Tassaggart House, says the “centre was not built in accordance with the plans and particulars”, and “no consideration has been given to the noise that 6,000 people would generate.”
The hotel was developed and owned by business man Jim Mansfield for 18 years, until 2010, when receivers were appointed on foot of a request by Bank of Ireland.
Mansfield started construction on the conference centre in 2004 before it had planning permission.
He passed away in 2014, and later that year, property investment firm Brehon Capital bought the Citywest Hotel.
In her submission, Ms Mansfield cited conditions of an agreement entered into with SDCC by the receiver prior to the purchase of the lands, which limits the number of patrons within the convention centre to its current level.
Amphitheatre Ireland Ltd, 3Arena, have also appealed to ABP, stating “if permission is granted, it would be seen as justification for this entirely unacceptable approach to the development of the site.”
A local resident has also objected with ABP, citing “traffic chaos” anytime there is a major event at the centre.
The hotel comprises 764 bedrooms, and at one point was believed to be worth in excess of €100m. Additional facilities at Citywest include leisure centre, golf course, and car parking for up to 2,500 cars.
The planning application also includes proposals for an additional 171 car parking spaces, and improvement works to the junction at Fortunestown Lane and Garters Lane.
