Bid to turn hotel into care home hits snag

PLANS by a Cork-based firm to convert the closed Two Mile Inn hotel on the Clare-Limerick border into a nursing home are in doubt.

It follows two separate appeals lodged against the plan to An Bord Pleanála.

Last August, O’Moradh Construction lodged plans for the former hotel to become a state-of-the-art convalescent nursing home.

The hotel has been closed since September last year, when 15 full- time jobs were lost.

Last month, Clare County Council gave the Cork firm the green light to alter the former hotel to see the construction of a dining room, an extension to the side of the existing rear wing, toilets near to the existing bar area.

Appeals were lodged by chartered engineer Jason Redmond and Ennis man Noel Connellan.

In the appeal lodged on behalf of Mr Connellan c/o Connellan & Associates, Harmony Row, Ennis, it states: “The development is located in a rural area remote from any neighbourhoods, community facilities and relevant infrastructure.

“The development would seriously injure the amenities or depreciate the value of the existing apart-hotel (bedroom suites) complex in the vicinity which was granted and development as an integral part of the hotel development”.

The firm also argues the amenity and health of the proposed residents would be adversely impacted by the existing uses on site, the pub-restaurant use,

The appeal by Mr Redmond argues that “there is sufficient lack of information to adequately assess the proposal”.

A decision is due by An Bord Pleanala in the first quarter of 2011.