A plan by a prominent businessman to develop a major new hotel and casino in Tullamore, Ireland, has been refused planning permission.

As many as 100 jobs were expected to be created with the opening of the development, which was to include an 86-bedroom hotel, conference centre, casino, retail units and restaurants and bars.
The proposal, which involved the redevelopment of two protected structures, was made by Bridge House Hotel, which is owned by businessman Patrick Leneghan. The new five-storey hotel was to be linked to the existing Bridge House Hotel via a specially constructed bridge.
Planners ruled the development would have a “profound negative impact on the appearance and visual amenity of the streetscape of Tullamore.” They also said the development would “conceal from view the historic nature of the industrial Malt House” and added that it did not appear to provide for adequate parking facilities.