Plans for 15-bedroom hotel in Strangford

Plans for 15-bedroom hotel in Strangford

26 August 2020

AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for a new 15 bedroom hotel in Strangford.

The exciting new two-storey development — which is seeking planning approval — includes a ground floor restaurant, basement level bar and car parking.

Located on land between Kildare Street and St John’s Lane, the development proposal will result in the change of use of an existing cake shop and apartment block.

Up to 10 new full-time jobs will be created as a result of the proposed new hotel, alongside a number of part-time positions, if the scheme gets the green light.

Businessman Cormac Evans who is behind the hotel proposal ,already runs the successful Artisan restaurant in the village. The development plan includes the creation of new parking and is designed to free-up a number of on-street spaces in the village.

Planning papers explain that the proposed hotel is designed to be respectful of the existing development on the east west and northern sides of the site, with the southern elevation a continuation of the existing two-story streetscape.

The proposed ground floor restaurant will occupy the majority of the available street frontage with an archway created to provide a discreet access to car parking within a central courtyard.

It is proposed that the small basement level bar will be located within the centre of the site in order to mitigate any potential noise issues.

The bar will be accessed from the hotel lobby and a pedestrianised section of St John’s Lane, with bedrooms located on the first floor.

All overnight visitors are expected to park within the site, with delivery vehicles stopping at the rear of the hotel site.

News of the Strangford proposal has been welcomed by local councillor Dermot Curran, who is pleased that the proposed investment will create a number of new jobs.

He said there is a pressing need for new hotel development in Down District and hopes that the Strangford proposal will secure the support it requires from planners and local people.

Cllr Curran said while the focus on new hotel development is often concentrated on major towns, there is a need for new accommodation in local villages, including places like Strangford, given the huge number of visitors who pass through it every year.

“We need more hotel accommodation across the district to complement existing provision and attract more visitors to our area. The Strangford proposal is good news for the village and wider Lecale,” he said.

“Newry, Mourne and Down Council has put tourism at the top of its agenda and attracting more overnight visitors will provide a boost for the local economy.”

The councillor said he is pleased that the Strangford proposal will create new employment opportunities and conceded that while the district already has high calibre of hotel accommodation,more is needed to cater for future demand, particularly post Covid-19.

He added: “I welcome the fact parking provision is included in the Strangford proposal which has the potential to act as a catalyst to encourage additional private investment in the village and wider Lecale area.

“Given the turbulence across the tourism industry as a result of coronavirus, it is refreshing to learn of an exciting new hotel development for our district which will provide a boost for the local economy in the future.”