Grand Hotel asks permission to replace storm-battered windows

Friday 01 March 2024

The Grand Hotel and Spa has put forward a planning application to replace more than 20 windows damaged in Storm Ciarán.

The storm battered the island in November with gusts of more than 100mph at its worst.

As well as homes across the island, scores of iconic island locations suffered severe damage and required repair.

Among them was the Grand Hotel, which lost a large part of its façade.

Hand Picked Hotels – its parent company – has now submitted an application to the Planning Department to replace 22 ground-floor windows: 15 on the south-west side, six to the south-east, and one north-west. It is also asking for permission to repair render work, and replace a door.

Pictured: General Manager Tim O'Sullivan said at the time that the damage "looks a lot worse than what it actually is".

The application said the windows being replaced were not original features, and were made from PPC aluminium and UPVC.

If approval is given, the replacements will match the “existing style and materials of the existing windows, but with improved performance”.

Riva Architects, acting as agent, wrote in support of the application.

They said the proposed window replacement and render repair would not have impact on the historic setting or context and will not affect the significance or features of interest in the adjacent Listed Buildings”.

“With the proposed storm damage repair having no visual impact on the site, its context or its setting, but providing an enhanced thermal performance and protection against future weather events, we would recommend the application for approval,” the firm said.

The application, which remains under consideration by Planning, can be viewed here.