The recent announcement of the provision of a new sewage treatment plant for Spiddal has given fresh hopes to a couple want to provide a new four-star hotel for the village.
It has been confirmed that a new wastewater treatment plant will be provided in Spiddal – and the developers believe that this should pave the way for a new hotel to be built in the popular tourist location.
There had been serious opposition to the plans to build the hotel on the grounds of its size while there were claims that it would not integrate into the local environment.
One of the concerns about the development related to the preservation of the Irish language.
Developer Ronan Barrett told The Connacht Tribune: “The protection of the Irish language requires the protection and growth of the Irish speaking community.
“It is important that the needs of the community now be considered and more needs to be done by Galway County Council to ensure that the community of the Gaeltacht villages are allowed to grow and flourish.
“It is not currently possible to accommodate young Irish speaking couples in these villages. Any amendment to the County Development Plan that is now under consideration, should be used to address this issue,” he stated.
When planning permission was sought for the provision of a hotel in Spiddal there were almost 50 submissions to the application and the vast majority of these were opposed to the development.
Council planners were of the opinion that the hotel would not be capable of assimilating and integrating into the local landscape because of its size and bulk.
It was the plan of Ronan and Siobhan Barrett to provide a four star hotel at Baile Eamoinn on the approach to Spiddal from the Galway side of the village.
The applicants said that the Council’s decision to refuse planning means that the community has lost an opportunity to secure a hotel for the village along with a large function room, restaurant, swimming pool and playground.
Planners felt that the hotel development would have an adverse impact on the amenities and character of this particular area.
They also said that it would detract from the visual amenity of the immediate area and would form a visually obtrusive feature as well as setting an undesirable precedent.
The Council said the proposal for a temporary sewage treatment plant for the hotel, that had the potential to create around 100 jobs, was both premature and prejudicial to public health.
But there was a lot of opposition to the development from both individuals and community groups on the grounds that it would not be a suitable development at this location.
However, those behind the project are now considering their options and if they will appeal the decision of Galway County Council.
“We had hoped to create a high quality four-star hotel facility, An Cuan, that meets the needs of the local community as a quality venue for family functions and weddings.
“We had also hoped to provide a new swimming pool, gym and children’s playground which are important recreational facilities that the local community badly need,” Mr Barrett told The Connacht Tribune.
He and his wife said that the proposed four-star hotel had been designed to include a large function room and restaurant that would have provided a venue for local weddings, family functions and community events.
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