New 123-bed hotel planned for site of former hospital in Kilkenny city-centre
A developer is seeking permission to build a brand new 123-room bedroom hotel on the site of a former hospital in the centre of Kilkenny city.
Green Wolfe Limited have requested planning permission for the hotel on the site of the old city Infirmary, located on the corner of Wolfe Tone Street and John’s Green in the city, which has more recently been used as a youth hostel.
The developer hopes to build the large hotel, along with with a bar and restaurant, on the 0.26 hectare site, which is surrounded by the railway viaduct to one side, John’s Green carpark and Wolfe Tone Street.
The site includes the former City Infrimary building, a three-storey protected structure built in 1767. The developers plan to integrate this building into the proposed new hotel.
Under the proposal, a gate house and an outhouse to the rear of the property will be demolished to make room for new buildings.
Green Wolfe are looking to add a number of extensions to the existing building, the main one being a five-storey extension covering 3,552 sq mts in total.
The developers have put forward a comprehensive conservation plan for the old City Infirmary, including the refurbishment of many of the stand out features such as windows, render, doors and doorways, roof and slates, and chimneys.
Previously planning permission was granted for a development on this site. In 2004, the former Kilkenny City Borough Council approved a mixed retail and residential development, consisting of 32 apartments, which never got off the ground due to the financial crash.
A decision on whether the hotel gets the go-ahead is expected from the council by the end of March.