New hotel no longer likely for Carlow but planning sought for apartments with rooftop gardens

A planning application has been submitted to Carlow County Council to change an application from that of one for a hotel to one for a number of apartments and a retail space.

A previous planning application requesting permission for a portion of a retail store on Main Street in Hacketstown to be demolished and turned into a hotel had been granted. 

A two-storey 17-bedroom hotel with a dining area, lounge/bar area, and a car park would have been replacing the retail space.

Now, a change to that is being requested with the applicant hoping to keep the retail space and construct a number of apartments instead.

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Permission is being sought to change the use of the retail site to a retail unit with ground-floor fronting with associated signage.

The ground floor would consist of a retail unit facing onto Main Street with three one-bedroom apartments. 

A communal bin storage facility and secured internal bike parking would also be built, along with ten on-street car parking spaces.

The first floor would consist of one one-bedroom apartment, one two-bedroom apartment, and two three-bedroom apartments. 

Permission has also been requested for four two-storey town houses/apartments with rooftop gardens.

Planning is also being sought for all associated site works and services.

The application has been made by Edmondbay Developments Ltd and was sent to Carlow County Council on November 28th 2025.

A decision is due by January 31st.