Council puts brakes on popular Kilkenny hotel’s plans to move to another level

Plans to expand a popular boutique hotel in the heart of Kilkenny city have been pushed back as planners have sought clarity on aspects of the development.

This summer the Pembroke Hotel on Patrick Street applied to the local council seeking permission to add to an already approved planning application for more accommodation units.

Pembroke Hotel owner JohnRyan initially lodged an application with Kilkenny County Council to add five bedrooms onto the planning permission it received in early 2019.

Last year the local authority approved the construction of six new suites. But after examining the planned additions to the permission granted the council then reverted to Mr Ryan seeking clarification on some aspects of the additional build.

As part of the new application, Mr Ryan applied to build an additional set-back floor on a new fifth floor level. The hotel currently consists of four floors.

In the latest application, the developer said: “[The revised plans] consist of alterations to the previously permitted development at fourth floor level comprising revisions to the permitted bedroom and sitting area arrangement to now provide two number bedrooms and six number suites at the 4th floor level including associated minor elevational amendments.

“The provision of an additional set-back fifth floor level (of 355 sq m) comprising three number hotel bedrooms, sitting area and ancillary areas including terraces, and all associated site development works,” the application concludes.

A decision on the development is expected to be made in January.