|
MAJOR CONSORTIUM BACKING EAST-MAYO TOURISM PLAN BY TOM KELLY A MAJOR consortium is involved in a multi-million-pounds proposal to build a five-star hotel, consisting of 136 bedrooms, at a prime location in Swinford. The owner of the 11.8 acres site on which the extensive development is earmarked told the Telegraph last night (Tuesday) that the plans had the financial backing of interested parties based in England and Ireland. Former building contractor, Mr. John Chambers, revealed he could not reveal the names of the backers until planning permission for the project at Carrowbawn, off the Swinford to Kiltimagh Road and adjacent to the by-pass, was granted by Mayo County Council Mr. Chambers, who lives at Lisanunmera in the town, declined to make a full statement because of fears of jeopardising the application in any way. He said it was the hope of the consortium that the hotel, bar and function room would be up and running within two years with a total of 95 jobs being provided. The design of the hotel development was drafted by Mr. Jude Gilligan of Grian & Co., Abbeytown, Ballisodare, Co. Sligo. In his submission to Mayo County Council, he explained: "What is proposed is an unique type of hotel with the emphasis on providing individual bedroom suites with access to landscape gardens. "A special effort is being made to ensure maximum privacy and soundproofing. This will involve the provision of screening along the nearby roadway." The hotel will be spread across an area of 9,671 sq. metres with the bedrooms being provided in separate blocks. A total of 17 different block units are planned with provision made for up to 120 car parking spaces. If the proposal gets the go-ahead, it would become the second biggest hotel in the county. The Castlecourt Hotel in Westport will jump from 83 to 149 bedrooms by next November, while Hotel Westport, the existing biggest hotel in Mayo, has 129 bedrooms. Planning permission is in place for a petrol filling station on a site close to the proposed Swinford hotel.
|
