Permission granted for Leitrim hotel to convert to residential apartments
Leitrim County Council have granted permission for the hotel to be converted for residential use
The owners of the Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo have been granted planning permission to convert the building into apartments for residential use.
The plans accepted by Leitrim County Council proposed the conversion of the 24 hotel apartments into apartments for residential use in accordance with current residential standards.
These works include the addition of balconies to the first floor and private patio areas at ground-floor level, a lift serving the first floor, bicycle parking and bin storage.
The Lough Allen Hotel and Spa is located at Corrachuil, Drumshanbo, along the shore of Lough Allen.
The proposal was put forth in August by P & A Lakeside Investments Ltd.
Drumshanbo has been without the use of the hotel for around twenty years, with the building passing through receivership under the National Asset Management Agency following the crash.
More recently, the building was used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war, with 170 Ukrainian residents living there under the State’s temporary protection programme.
In 2024, those residents were given short notice to vacate, prompting concern locally as many had become embedded in the community through work and school. Following their departure, some remained in Drumshanbo and surrounding areas, while others were relocated elsewhere.
The permission was granted by Leitrim County Council this week, with the approval subject to seven conditions.
According to the decision letter, these conditions include that the works will match the developments outlined in the application.
A detailed landscaping scheme must be submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the Planning Authority before development begins; meanwhile, all landscaping must be completed before any unit is occupied.
A Connection Agreement from Uisce Éireann shall be obtained before the commencement of any development on site for the provision of services necessary to enable the proposed development.
A management company will be appointed to oversee the grounds. The details of that company and its responsibilities will be shared with the Planning Authority before any of the residential units are made available for occupation.
The development shall be responsible for ensuring that water on site is properly managed and does not interfere with public drainage.
Development works will be carried out between 0800 and 1900, Monday to Friday, inclusive, between 0800 and 1400 hours on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays or public holidays.
Finally, all service lines and cables serving the development will be located underground.