PROGRESS is being made on resolving the complex issues surrounding the half built shopping centre site in Naas this week as more negotiators are to be employed to sort out the problems
Deputy James Lawless said that following representations with the Land Values Reference Committee of the Supreme Court it was agreed that arbitration resources were causing delays.
The lack of resources were causing delays of up to a year in resolving the complex remaining CPO issues at the centre and in turn delaying the rejuvenation of the town itself.
Deputy Lawless confirmed on Friday that seven new arbitrators have now been appointed to work alongside the one Property Arbitrator in the State following his raising of the matter with the committee. “This will result in the hearing on the future of the town centre site being brought forward to September 2016 whereas originally it has planned to be addressed in April 2017,” he said.
“Since 2007 the residents of Naas have had to endure looking at the half built town centre site. In September the outstanding matters go back before the court process and I hope to see further steps taken.
“Ultimately what the people of Naas want is for the site to come into use and bring people back into the town. Be it as it was originally intended in the form of a shopping centre, or other uses such as office space.
“I am pleased with the result as it is a significant advancement in the hearing of the arbitration and ultimately a step closer to dealing with the issues at the unfinished town centre for the good of all the town. This takes seven months off the wait time, something the entire community I’m sure will welcome.”
Meanwhile the Osprey Hotel in Naas is to get a €3million injection of funds.
PREM Group announced plans to invest €3 million over the next two years in the Osprey Hotel + Spa complex. The hotel was bought by the Dublin-based international hotel operator in 2015 and they have managed the property since 2010.
Phase one of the plans, which are already under way, involves the addition of five further bedrooms and the expansion of the hotel’s leisure facilities.
The conference facilities and business centre are also being enhanced to meet growing demand. The announcement follows on the recent appointment of leading hotelier, Peter Brennan, as the new general manager.
“We have been operating the Osprey complex successfully since 2010 and have seen an increasing demand for the many facilities offered by the hotel, from accommodation and casual dining to its spa and leisure centre,” said Jim Murphy, Chief Executive, PREM Group.
“Now that we own the property we are in a position to implement changes that we had identified to expand these facilities and enhance the luxurious standards of the hotel.
“Demand for quality office space in Naas from within the town’s SME sector as well as wider afield, for example, has also grown noticeably within the past twelve months due to increasing confidence stemming from the economic recovery.
“We are in a fortunate position here at the Osprey Complex to have the space to expand our serviced office offering.”
The hotel currently offers 104 guest rooms. It also includes a stand-alone Conference Centre as well as Centre at the Osprey, a live act venue.
The Osprey announcement follows plans for a major redevelopment of Lawlor’s Hotel. Marchfold Ltd (Mr Jack Tierney) has applied for planning permission a huge extension to the town centre hotel. He is seeking planning for a five storey building fronting onto Gleann na Greine at the rear of the existing building with an underground car park, new lobby, bars and conference and function rooms, 80 extra bedrooms and a ‘sky’ rooftop restaurant.
