Belfast airport Premier Inn given the green light
Councillors in Belfast have granted planning permission for the construction of a three-storey Premier Inn hotel just 100 metres from the city’s airport.
The proposals for the 81-bedroom hotel in Crumlin also include the creation of a restaurant and bar as well as a 130-space car park.
The development is said to be worth around £5.5m.
A senior planning officer told Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council that the proposed site is already earmarked for airport use, adding that permission had been approved previously in 2018.
Concerns over road safety were noted, however, the Department for Infrastructure did not put forward any objection.
Tom McGrath, chair of Belfast International Consultative Forum, said in the pre-application community consultation report: “An 81-bed hotel will be a significant boost. We have to build new facilities if we are to expand our tourism offer.
“As the airport grows, so too will demand for quality facilities.”
David Shaw, general manager of airline Woodgate Aviation, added: “The hotel directly mirrors the growth being experienced on the airport site. This proposed investment proves just how much an economic hub the airport is and what it’s capable of delivering for the wider Northern Ireland economy.”
Premier Inn has previously said that it is looking to open more sites across the UK.