Plans to convert tourism units into living accommodation

A PLANNING application seeking to convert tourist accommodation units into living accommodation units at Garters Lane in Saggart has been lodged with South Dublin County Council.

Suites Hotel Management CLG is seeking change of use permission of existing short-term tourist accommodation at Westpark Crescent on Garters Lane in Saggart.

The developer is hoping to convert the existing units into 20 full apartment type living accommodation units.

Proposals consist of 10 two-bed lower ground floor units and 10 two-bed duplex type units at first floor level.

Plans also include small elevational changes to facilitate balcony extensions at first floor level and new balcony areas at ground floor level to accommodate private amenity space.

There is provision for a new bicycle shelter, parking, landscaping and boundary treatment works along with all associated site development works.

One of the aspects of the plans is to omit a planning condition from a previously approved planning application.

In 2001, the local planning authority granted permission to HSS Ltd to construct the 20 hotel suites apartments at the subject site – which was listed on the application as Citywest Golf Club.

Now, Suites Hotel Management CLG is hoping the condition that states the development “shall be occupied and used only as part of the existing hotel complex on the extended site” be omitted.

That condition outlined how individual units within the complex can only be used for short-term tourist accommodation and any change will require a separate grant of planning permission.

At that time, the reason behind this condition was “to meet the specific tourism requirements of the development”.

South Dublin County Council will make a decision on the application by May 18, 2022 – with third part submissions closing on April 27.

Previously, in 2017, Westpark Property Limited was granted permission to change 80 short-term tourist accommodation units to 84 residential apartments.

According to a report in The Echo, that developer was prohibited from sub-dividing the apartments by way of sale or letting.