Paramount Hotel planning refused as it would set an 'undesirable precedent'

Dublin City Council has refused planning permission to expand the Paramount Hotel, citing concerns over the building's architectural character and the potential to set an "undesirable precedent for similar type development of the area"

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 11:58, 22 Sep 2026 View Image The Paramount Hotel, 27-30 Parliament Street (Image: Google Maps)

Dublin City Council has refused planning permission for an increased bedroom count at the Paramount Hotel.

Ampbay Limited had sought permission for works on their 66 hotel on Parliament Street, with nine new rooms proposed, as well as the addition of a meeting room, toilets, laundry room, and restaurant on its basement floor. However, as a protected structure, the council ruled the works would “further erode the special architectural character” of the building.

The planning response stated that granting the application would “represent a poor architectural response to the historic site and would set an undesirable precedent for similar type development”. “The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” the refusal explained.

The proposed works included the provision of windowless hotel bedrooms on the ground floor, which was also sighted in the reason for its refusal. The council said that a restaurant at basement level and the provision of hotel windows fronting onto Essex Gate would result in “an unacceptable poor level of amenity and facilities afforded to future occupiers of the hotel by way of layout and design”.

They said that the proposal would constitute “overdevelopment of the site” and that hotel room size and layout should “be designed to ensure a high level of amenity” for both short and long term stays. The proposed development also saw pushback from Old City Apartment residents who submitted a joint observation.

The third party observation highlighted the hotel’s use operating a private homeless hostel and cited antisocial behaviour and disruption “in the immediate vicinity of the hotel”. They outlined instances of altercations and fighting in surrounding streets, shouting and disturbances impacting residents on Essex Street, and public urination and defecation in doorways and surrounding areas.

“These concerns are particularly significant given the proximity of the hotel entrance to neighbouring properties. Certain commercial premises and Old City Apartments are located approximately ten metres from the hotel entrance, meaning that the impact of activity associated with the premises is felt immediately by residents, businesses and their customers,” they stated.

Residents questioned whether the existing use of the hotel contradicted its current permitted use of the premises, and called on Dublin City Council to investigate whether the current use constitutes a material change of use requiring planning permission.

These concerns were previously addressed when An Coimisiún Pleanála conceded in 2025 that a change of use was not required for the operation of a homeless hostel as they were still providing accommodation and “no care element is provided”. An inspector stated as reported by Dublin InQuirer : “There is no change other than the socio-economic class associated with the inhabitants.”

Ampbay Ltd has four weeks from the date of refusal (September 7) to submit an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála to review the decision.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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