Plans to develop 24 hotel apartments in the historic former Caball’s toyshop and Kerry bookshop in Tralee have been given the green light.
Kerry County Council has granted permission for John McElligott, the owner of the landmark building, to change the use of the buildings and conduct the necessary works to them for the development.
Permission was granted subject to 13 conditions.
Caball’s Toymaster and Kerry Bookshop on Bridge Street in Tralee town centre both closed in the summer of 2019, after almost 100 years of trading as a family business.
John McElligott applied to the council for permission to change the use of the buildings from retail, to use as a 24-bedroom apart-hotel, with one retail unit on the ground floor.
The proposed development also requires the demolition of areas to the rear of the buildings to allow for extension and renovation.
A design statement accompanying the planning application says the apartments are to work within the quirky features of the existing buildings.
The developer proposed to to restore the historic street façade of the buildings, ensuring their survival for future generations, while telling the story of the building in a contemporary accommodation space in the heart of Tralee.
During the planning process, the developer was required to submit a bat survey and impact assessment report, and a swift nesting impact assessment.
No nest sites or swift activity, nor bat roosting sites, were found in the buildings.
A flood risk assessment for the site specifically, and no issues were raised about this assessment once submitted.
Kerry County Council granted permission subject to 13 conditions, including that all buildings proposed for demolition should be fully surveyed and recorded beforehand.
Construction activity at the site on Bridge Street at the end of The Mall, is only to be carried out between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
