Planning authority grants permission for new hotel in Rosslare Harbour as developer confirms ‘full development works' will commence in 2027

The owner of The Great Southern Hotel in Rosslare Harbour has received permission to build a new hotel on the site by the national planning authority. Previously intended to be an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre, the half-finished site has been left derelict and empty since a long, and often drawn-out, protest resulted in that proposal being withdrawn by developer, Aidan Gallagher. In February of last year, Wexford County Council (WCC) granted Mr Gallagher permission to carry out 'alterations' to the existing building, including roof repairs and an increase in the number of rooms from 102 to 107, on the condition that it be developed into a hotel. That decision was subsequently appealed by Wexford TD and Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy which led to the case being reviewed by An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP). In her appeal, Deputy Murphy outlined the planning history of the site and noted how, in 2021, WCC granted permission for a 90-bed nursing home to be developed there. She also noted how, in February 2025, following an inspection of the site, ACP 'placed the use of the building as a nursing home', a decision which conflicted with WCC's decision to grant planning for a new hotel on the site. As a result, Deputy Murphy contended that the Mr Gallagher's application to develop a hotel at the site was 'invalid' as the site had been specified for the development of a nursing home. She also argued that any proposal to 'revert to a hotel use' would require a new planning application and that WCC's decision to grant permission for a new hotel was ultra vires, i.e. beyond its powers. In response, Mr Gallagher said that, 'during the initial phase of works for the project it became apparent that the nursing home as permitted was not viable and will not be implemented' and he wished 'to regularise the works completed on site which form part of the existing hotel use'. Following Deputy Murphy's appeal, Ms Catherine Dillon, inspector with ACP, visited the site and subsequently filed a report in which she overruled the appeal and recommended that permission for a new hotel be granted. With regard to the previous proposed uses for the site, Ms Dillon said 'a change of use occurred at the premises from a hotel to a nursing home when the nursing home permission was implemented' but that, 'during the works to the nursing home being carried out, it became apparent the nursing home was not viable for the owners.' 'The applicants do not expand on the issue of viability other than it is their view that, as the nursing home will not be implemented, they now wish to regularise the works completed on site which form part of the existing hotel use and are seeking permission for alterations and improvements to the existing hotel.' Read more Developer confirms intention to develop hotel at site of former IPAS protests in Rosslare – 'We have interest from established companies' Stating that a hotel use would be 'acceptable in principle on this site, particularly given its former use as a hotel, and would be in accordance with the zoning objectives of the Settlement Plan', Ms Dillon did raise some concerns regarding the layout of the proposed hotel and, as a result, requested that a condition be attached to the planning permission which specified that a hotel must be built on the site. 'Although the number of rooms is stated as 107, the number of beds and therefore residents could be significantly higher from the granted nursing home use and former hotel use,' she said. 'I also consider the proposed layout with the addition of kitchen pods on each floor is more akin to a hostel type use and not that of a hotel. I would therefore recommend in the interest of clarity that a condition is attached in the event of planning permission being granted restricting the use to a hotel. 'The proposed hotel use would provide for an appropriate form of development within the village centre and would not adversely impact the residential amenity of the area and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD. © New Ross Standard Responding to ACP's decision, Deputy Murphy said she 'would have no objection to a properly designed hotel on the site in question' and had 'engaged in the planning process because residents in the community which she represents asked her to represent their concerns.' 'The matter is however one to be decided by the residents,' she said. 'The community was originally promised a nursing home and the need for such a facility has not gone away.' Deputy Murphy said she is seeking legal advice regarding ACP's decision and will revert to the community with that advice in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher said the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to uphold Wexford County Council's decision to grant permission for the completion of the hotel is 'to the benefit of the community and businesses of Rosslare Harbour'. 'At the public meeting in September 2025, I tried to make clear that my intention was to find a solution in everyone's interest,' he added. 'Until the use of the building was determined, I was unable to progress any plans for further development. I can now move forward with this decision. 'I have already engaged with national and international hotel operators to bring the hotel back to life. An unobstructed planning decision now enables me to improve the current condition of the site. Thereafter, full development works will commence in Q1 2027.' Mr Gallagher also addressed the ongoing need for a nursing home in Rosslare Harbour. 'I am personally disappointed that the previous plan for a nursing home on the site was not feasible. Having built and owned nursing homes in Wexford and across the country, I will explore every avenue for a nursing home in Rosslare.' Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.