Co Antrim Hoteliers Bid For Expansion

Two hoteliers are bucking the recessionary trend and pushing ahead with planned expansion projects.

Both in Belfast and in the City of Lisburn, two separate hostelries are planning to develop their facilities.

Lisburn's first hotel, the Premier Inn, is in line for a £2m extension, less than two years since it first opened.

Plans have been submitted for the revamp of the hotel, that was developed by the Conway Group and is operated by Whitebread Plc.

The proposed development will see 30 new bedrooms added at the hotel.

Meanwhile, south Belfast's Wellington Park hotel has announced fresh plans for its redevelopment and extension.

The news comes after planners blocked a proposal to demolish and rebuild the hotel alongside a new apartment block nearly two years ago.

The Planning Appeals Commission said the development would have failed to create a quality residential environment and damaged the character of the Malone Conservation area.

Now, the new plan - by the Mooney Group - envisions a partial demolition and rebuild with 94 extra bedrooms and a number of serviced apartments.

The previous plan for its extension received more than 155 objections, although it was backed by Belfast councillors.

The Mooney family also controls the Dunadry Hotel and operates the Armagh City Hotel.

See: Wellie Park's Planning Appeal Rejected

(BMcC/GK)