The former Shannon Oaks Hotel in Portumna is to be added to the Derelict Sites Register for 2023.
The Comer brothers, who own the site, will now be required to pay a derelict sites levy, amounting to 7% of the market value of the property for each year it remains on the register.
Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara, who received confirmation of the decision by Galway County Council, expressed hope that it will act as an incentive for the owners to progress its redevelopment, saying that it will at least raise revenue for the Council to tackle dereliction.
The former hotel in Portumna was damaged in a fire over ten years ago and has been left lying idle and falling into ruin ever since.
The Comers purchased the site in 2015 but did not redevelop the hotel, despite having planning permission to do so.
Louis O’Hara said that redeveloping the Shannon Oaks would be of huge benefit to the town and surrounding areas in terms of tourism, employment and as an amenity for the local community.
“It is unacceptable that the site has been left in its current state for so long. The site is an eyesore, a health and safety hazard and a complete waste of valuable land.”
He said that Galway County Council wrote to the owners requesting them to secure the site and carry out remedial works on it.
They failed to comply with this request and O’Hara was informed by the council that as a result the site is to be entered on the Derelict Sites Register for 2023.
“It is very welcome that the property is finally to be entered on this register. The owners will now face financial penalties through the derelict sites levy, which is 7% of the market value of the property for each year it remains on the register.
“This will hopefully be an incentive for the owners to redevelop the property or move it on to someone who will, but at the very least it will raise revenue for the Council which can be used to tackle the issue of dereliction.
“This news is positive but after so many years the Comers now need to get a move on with redeveloping the hotel.
“It is not good enough to leave this hotel derelict and idle for any longer and they cannot continue to ignore their responsibility to the local community.”
