An Bord Pleanála has refused permission to the Tower Hotel for the demolition of a number of buildings to build new hotel rooms and a conference centre.
The hotel had been granted planning by Waterford Council last July to demolish a number of buildings on Lombard Street and number 36 The Mall in Waterford City, and to build a five storey extension consisting of 60 bedrooms and a conference centre.
The planning decision had been appealed by Waterford business woman Monica Leech.
An Bord Pleanála said the applicant had failed to demonstrate that exceptional circumstances exist that would justify the demolition of the protected structures on the site.
It also ruled that the proposed development would materially affect the character of the adjoining Architectural Conservation Area, would be detrimental to the character and setting of the historic streetscape and visual amenities of the area, and would set an undesirable precedent.
Given it's prominent site in the city, the Board said the proposal would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area.
