Planning sought for new hotel in Kinnegad

Planning permission is being sought for a new hotel in Kinnegad.

Simco Ventures, a Dublin registered company, wants to redevelop the site of the former Phoenix Hotel on the town's main street into a 24 bedroom hotel.

The building has been unoccupied for a number of years following a fire, but in its planning application Simco Ventures says that the damage is primarily cosmetic, not structural.

If given the green light, all of the 24 rooms will be en-suite. The application also includes details for a cafeteria, a kitchen, an office, 11 car parking spaces and a new shop front.

As part of the redevelopment project, Simco Ventures plans to demolish the space that housed the hotel's nightclub and replace it with 11 en-suite bedrooms, five triple and six double/twin en-suite rooms. When completed, the property will be able to accommodate 53 adults.

In a proposal summary submitted with its planning application, Simco Ventures said that 12 to 15 jobs would be created when the centre is operational.

"The primary goal of the company is to develop [the] hotel to take part in fulfilling the current growing demand and the future demand for hotel bedrooms in Ireland. The entrepreneurs of the company have a long history in this trade, and they are very kind to utilize their knowledge and skills to achieve company goals."

Simco Ventures say in the proposal summary that the property, which has been vacant for a number of years, "should be utilised for the economic benefit of the local community".

"Simco Ventures believes this is an opportunity and is willing to invest €800k to €1m for the the development of the site."

The decision due date for the application is February 3 next.