Letterkenny casino given green light for hostel to remain

A Letterkenny casino operator has been given the go-ahead for part of the premises to become a hostel.

Donegal County Council has granted conditional retention permission to Theo Crossan of Majestic Casino on Port Road in Letterkenny.

The building in question has been used to house refugees in recent times.

The applicant sought permission for both retention and completion works for a change of use at first floor level of the existing building.

Planners say that the proposed development 'provides for a diversity of uses within the existing facility, generally complimentary of each other'.

“In addition, it is considered that the change of use is acceptable, in the context of the location of the existing facility within the traditional town centre,” documents say.

The local authority says that the development will 'not injure the amenities of the area, would not be prejudicial to public health and would not endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard'.

Permission was granted subject to six conditions, including that: parking provision for eight bicycles be provided; that no surface water from the site discharge to the public road; that no signs, symbols or other means of advertisement be erected or posted without prior written agreement; any signage shall be in the Irish language only or, if bilingual signage is proposed, then the Irish language shall be first.

Retention planning applications are made in circumstances where an unauthorised development has taken place and permission is sought to retain it from the local authority – in this instance Donegal County Council.

In 2014, after an appeal was made to An Bord Pleanála, permission was granted for a change of use to the area in question, to become a private members club having previously served as a bingo hall.

The three-storey extension to the Pulse Entertainment Centre was initially given the green light by Donegal County Council in 2011.