Development of the 220-acre site, 6km west from Tramore town, has caused huge consternation within the local community.

Development of the 220-acre site, 6km west from Tramore town, has caused huge consternation within the local community.

There have been mixed reactions to Waterford County Council’s approval of a €150m, five star resort which is set to transform the rural coastal area of Garrarus and revolutionise the face of Tramore tourism.

On Tuesday of last week, Waterford Co Council granted a 10-year permission for the demolition of existing farmyard buildings and a house located at Islandikane and construction of a ‘period’ style hotel complex, with 142 suites within a courtyard lodge which will act as the centerpiece of the development. The integrated complex will also include 51 associated detached golf lodges and 28 houses, a bar and a restaurant, a leisure centre, spa, function room, golf clubhouse and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

The Council’s Planning Department attached 24 conditions to its approval of the plans, including the submission of an Ecological Management Plan prior to work commencing and the phased development of the golf course – a two-year waiting period must be implemented between the construction of the first and second 9 holes to lessen the impact on the Chouch bird, an endangered breed of bird nesting in the area.

Aimed very much at the family market, the resort is expected to take two years to construct, during which it will provide employment for about 350 people. An anticipated 150 full-time jobs will be created when the resort opens, with additional part-time positions likely during the summer months.

 See The Munster Express newspaper for a more detailed report.