Plans are in the works for a significant revamp of the Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate golf facilities, as well as adding a new restaurant.
Baswal Ltd is seeking planning permission to demolish the existing “outdated and unsuitable” driving range at the 5 star hotel outside Galway City.
In its place, the developer seeks to build a new single storey ‘Golf Academy’, which would include 30 driving range bays, and a high performance golf training facility.
It would also include changing facilities, a pro golf shop, a retail store, and a new restaurant for hotel residents and golfers.
A planning report submitted with the application states that the new Golf Academy is needed as the hotel has expanded over time, with the Golf Pavilion built in the 1990s gradually taken over by other hotel uses.
“Besides the obvious requirements to support the Estate as a 5 star golf destination hotel, the hotel currently has significant local membership to both the existing Golf Range and Golf Course.”
“Currently members visiting the facility have little or no changing facilities, very limited scope for purchasing necessary equipment relating to the golf activity, and need to access the main hotel restaurants/bars for refreshments.”
“It is also not ideal from a tourist/leisure experience perspective to mix such leisure trade with hotel residents within a 5 star setting.”
“It is also highly desirable from a hotel experience that guests could access an alternative more casual dining experience within the overall Estate during their stay.”
The existing car park for the driving range has 83 spaces, and it is intended that this will be extended to 96 spaces.
An Ecological Impact Assessment was prepared for this planning application to the council, which said that there would be no significant or residual impacts.
Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by October 16.
