Hotel developers ‘absolutelycommitted’ to Glenavy Road site

This week planning permission for a 66 bedroom hotel on the Glenavy Road was renewed by the developers, who say they are determined to develop the hotel as soon as the economic climate improves.

Permission for the hotel, which includes leisure and conference facilities, as well as restaurants, bars, associated car parking and landscaping, was previously granted and expired in December.

However, the planners agreed to renew the permission and the developers have said the plan will go ahead.

George Worthington from Pragma Planning, who have been working on the scheme, said B&T Inns Ltd, who also operate the Ballymac Hotel, were “absolutely committed to it.”

He continued: “B&T want to keep the permission active because they do intend, as soon as the economic situation improves, to construct the hotel.

“The hotel is on a very important direct route from the west of the province and from the south to the airport,” he continued.

“There isn’t another facility in the area of hotel status for people to stay overnight who are exiting the province by plane or boat from Belfast or Larne.”

Mr Worthington emphasised the developers’ commitment both to the site and to Lisburn city. “They are absolutely committed to it,” he continued.

“They have the experience and they have been committed to Lisburn city for quite a number of years.”

The Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Planning Committee, Alderman James Tinsley, welcomed the renewal of planning permission for the development.

“This is good news,” he said. “It would be great if it was developed this time.

“There is a definite need for this to be approved and it would be nice to see bricks and mortar on the site.”