Galway East Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara has described the removal of the former Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna from the Derelict Sites Register as ‘outrageous’.
O’Hara said that the site remains in a ‘dilapidated and derelict condition’ and believes that it calls into question the effectiveness of the register and Galway County Council’s application of it.
The Shannon Oaks was added to the register less than one year ago, meaning that the owners faced financial penalties through the derelict sites levy.
This is 7% of the market value of the property for each year a property remains on the register.
“While minor remedial work may have been carried out on site, it still remains in a dilapidated and derelict condition and is a complete eyesore in the heart of Portumna town,” said O’Hara.
“Planning permission was granted for redevelopment of the hotel over three years ago but it has been left idle and falling into ruin ever since, with no sign of redevelopment works beginning any time soon.”
The Shannon Oaks was the only hotel in Portumna, and O’Hara said that redeveloping it would be of huge benefit to the town and surrounding areas in terms of tourism and employment.
“Removing this site from the Derelict Sites Register removes any incentive for the owners of the hotel to redevelop it,” he siad.
“It raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the register and Galway County Council’s application of it, especially given that only four sites were on the register for the county as of 31 December 2022. Sites must be identified and the register enforced properly if we are to tackle dereliction across County Galway.”
