Path clear for Brennan hotel plan
The county council has unanimously agreed to materially contravene its planning bible — the county development plan — in relation to proposals for a development at Dromquinna Manor, which is expected to create up to 50 full-time and 25 seasonal jobs.
The period property on 38 acres was purchased last year by Mr Brennan and his wife Gwen, reportedly for a knockdown €2m. Planning is expected to be granted.
The plan is to convert the property into a top class conference and wedding facility, along with a caravan park.
Mr Brennan and his brother Francis are co-presenters of the RTÉ series At Your Service, and also operate the five-star Park Hotel in Kenmare. The Dromquinna development is independent of the Park Hotel.
A planning application has been lodged. It seeks to reduce accommodation in the manor from 36 bedrooms to 12 bedroom suites; the provision of 32 upmarket tents in a wooded area; and the creation of 62 stands for recreational vehicles, as well as relocating the entrance to the property.
It will cater for the growing “glamping” luxury holiday market and there will also be support facilities, including a shop, launderette, kitchen and dining facilities, a games room and parking for 152 vehicles.
Local people were now happy with changes to the development, the meeting was told. A decision on the planning application is due on Mar 2.
The contravention of the development plan arose from a stipulation in the plan that camping/caravan parks are not allowed direct access to national secondary roads.
In a submission to the council, the National Roads Authority, also pointed out the application was at variance with its policy on national secondary roads.
However, the council’s director of planning services, Michael McMahon, told the meeting the relocation of the entrance to the site would significantly improve sightlines and the developer was also making a special contribution to improve access.
He also said the site already had planning permission for a more extensive development that would create considerably more traffic movements that the Brennan development.
The latest plan would be a very large and important development and a new type of tourist attraction in Kerry, according to Mr McMahon, who recommended the material contravention.
The property is on 1km of shoreline along the Kenmare River.
