From this week’s Galway City Tribune – The Planning Appeals Board has overruled its own Senior Inspector and permitted a change of use of 17 apartments in the city centre for use as an apart-hotel.

Jane Dennehy said that the short-term letting of the Citypoint Apartments (over TK Maxx) would “exacerbate the shortage in supply and availability of residential accommodation in the rental market”.

However, she was over-ruled by the Board itself, which said the location is “a significant tourism hub”.

Hotelier Eugene Keville had sought permission for a change of use from residential apartments to apart-hotel use, including the provision of a reception area at ground floor level.

Mr Keville owns the nearby Western Hotel, and the apartments have been available for holiday lettings for a number of years.

The change of use had initially been turned down by the City Council on the grounds it would be contrary to housing policy in a Rent Pressure Zone and where demand is high for long-term accommodation.

This is a shortened preview version of this story. To read the rest of the article, see the July 14 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can support our journalism and buy a digital edition HERE.