Appeal lodged against Wexford town hotel
AN APPEAL has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against the construction of a hotel on a site at Wexford Bridge.
CoAnt Entertainments Limited, which is run by the Neville brothers Colm and Anthony, had received planning permission from Wexford County Council, earlier this month, for the Bridge Park Hotel, a mixed development incorporating a 135-room hotel, ground floor retail space, underground car parking, and nine residential units, with a sail-inspired front facade.
The permission came on the back of an An Bord Pleanala decision to uphold a council grant for a new music venue at the old Metro 17 premises, which is also owned by the Nevilles.
However, An Bord Pleanala has now received appeals against the decision from two people who had made observations on the initial plan.
John Molloy, with an address at Orchard Close, Ardcavan expressed concerns about the overall scale of the building, remarking that it would be the tallest building in Wexford at eight storeys and he had questions over evacuation measures in case of emergencies and, also, wondered if the fire service could deal with a building of that scale should they be required to.
He pointed out that the site was at risk of flooding and argued that an underground car park should not be placed in such a zone. He also voiced concerns about the cost to the public if such a facility were to flood. He raised further questions about water proofing of the car park and the de-watering process when it came to construction stage.
Acting on behalf of dental technician John White, of South Main Street, John Mullins and Associates Consulting Engineers expressed concerns about the demolition of Number 84 North Main Street, pointing out that it would result in the destruction of a habitable house, and arguing that planning permission had not been sought or received for that.
He argued that no provision had been made to prevent flooding of North Main Street through the open access that will replace 84 North Main Street, and no provision had been made to prevent flooding in neighbouring properties, he added.