Two-storey extension to be added to leading Offaly hotel

A new two-storey extension is to be added to the County Arms Hotel in Birr after Offaly County Council granted planning permission this week for a project which will also see the removal of existing temporary structures at the popular hotel.

Planning permission has been granted subject to 11 conditions, one of which stipulates that no development work is to commence on site until the new surface water sewer on the Distributor Road serving the proposed Birr Primary Care Centre is constructed.

The applicants, Canbe Limited, have also been asked to submit a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit in support of the proposed new entrance to the development via the Distributor Road. They have also been asked to provide details of a “grade-controlled” crossing which is to be provided adjacent to the new entrance onto this road.

A development contribution charge amounting to €24,000 is also to be paid to Offaly County Council prior to the commencement of any development works at the County Arms Hotel.

Canbe Limited sought planning permission in April of last year for the removal of existing temporary structures, minor internal alterations, and partial demolition to facilitate the construction of a new two-storey extension to the southern elevation of the existing County Arms Hotel building, with an address at Railway Road, Townparks in Birr. The plans also include an extension of the existing car park, including the provision of pathways, public lighting, landscaping and all associated site works.

The development will include the addition of seven family suites on the first floor of the existing hotel, four of which will have balconies attached. The plans also include the provision of toilets and a staff canteen.

An Architectural Impact Statement prepared by Kenny Lyons and Associates as part of the planning application described the County Arms Hotel as “a beautiful detached three-bay two-storey over basement house” dating back to c. 1830, and stated that the conservation of the existing structure is “paramount to the applicant.”

The Statement added that the proposed development is primarily required to replace storage and service rooms destroyed in a recent fire and to incorporate these stores into the hotel building, with the addition of larger family suites at first floor level. It added that the applicant “wishes to make the hotel more accessible” by reconfiguring an internal toilet block to create larger toilet facilities for the function rooom, provide new service areas and more accommodation at first floor level.

A number of temporary storage containers and structures which were installed at the County Arms Hotel following the fire are to be replaced with “a permanent building” according to the Architectural Impact Statement, which pointed out that the original three-bay two-storey portion of the hotel will “remain untouched” by any works proposed in the planning application.

Council planners sought further information on the project in June 2024, which was provided in September. The planning application attracted one submission.