Posted online: Feb 23rd, 2010

A top estate agent has described the plans for the major new development at the old Swilly Hotel in Buncrana as  “unlike anything” he has “ever come across.”

Fintan Connolly of KMCG was speaking after An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the Shore Front project, which is being developed by Flanagans of Buncrana.

The old Swilly Hotel currently sits on the site, which is believed to be one of the best locations in Donegal and it will be demolished to make way for 70 residential units, three town houses, a crèche, 97 car parking spaces with underground parking, landscaped gardens and all associated works.

Buncrana Town Council previously granted conditional planning permission to the development in April last year but this was appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

With planning permission now granted after a six-year wait, the development has been unveiled as one that will be extremely cost effective, making the cost of living “very, very low indeed.”

Just some of the features include geo thermal heating, communal Sky Television, a maintenance person on site and the highest-level insulation, which will hugely reduce running costs.

Mr Connolly also added the fact that the development was given the go ahead now and not when the plans were first submitted six years ago when property and construction prices were are at high, meant it would now be cheaper to build and this would then be passed on to those hoping to purchase.

He said: “It will give people the opportunity to purchase a well priced property, which will be very, very cost effective to run in an extremely sought after sought after location. 

“The plans for this development are unlike anything I have ever come across.”

Brian Flanagan told the “Inish Times” that when the plans were being drawn up by HKR Architects – who have worked on projects around the world, including the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin – they were done so with the aim of constructing an aesthetically pleasing development.

He said: “We set up to make sure the development that went up was something we wouldn’t be criticised for in years to come. We are in the furniture game and we wanted something that would fit in with what we sell. Now we have got it.

“It was very difficult to put up with the delay but in a way it was for the best, for the reasons outlined by Fintan.

“We’re not interested in hanging around for years and years. We would like to move it on as soon as possible.”

Expressions of interest from available parties are now being welcomed. Information is available at the KMCG office on St Mary’s Road and on Pearse Road, Letterkenny.

When completed, the development will include four one-bedroom apartments, 38 two-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom duplexes, five three-bedroom terrace houses and 11 three-bedroom duplexes.