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Council approves £14m extension plans for the Kingfisher Country Estate

Posted By:
Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council

23rd Aug 2024

Antrim and Newtownabbey Planning Committee has approved plans for a £14 million investment for the Kingfisher Country Estate in Templepatrick, which will significantly enhance its tourism offering.  

 The plans comprise an extension to the main hotel building for an additional 68-bedroom suites with a ground floor function room and conservatory, as well as a mix of shepherd huts, glamping pods, log cabins and a hotel manager’s lodge.

It is estimated that 30-50 construction jobs will be created during the build with a further 70-100 full and part time jobs upon completion.

The proposed extension located to the southern section of the hotel, will effectively look out over the golf course and pond, and will consist of a 4-storey elongated annex building. The new extension will house a new function room, toilets, lobby, bar, storage, and cloakrooms on the ground floor with 20-bedroom suites accommodated on the first, second and third floors respectively with the remaining 8 suites accommodated on the fourth floor.

A glazed corridor will connect to the proposed sunroom and the existing hotel building.

8 glamping cabins, 10 shepherd huts and 3 larger log cabins all with self-catering facilities, will provide visitors with alternative holiday accommodation all year round.

The approved plans will also provide an additional 304 parking spaces

,Chairperson of Antrim and Newtownabbey Planning Committee, Cllr Jeanie Archibald-Brown commented; “I am delighted these plans have been approved for the extension of the Kingfisher Country Estate. The additional accommodation options will appeal to a wider clientele attracting more visitors to the hotel and the Borough, which also underpins the demand for hotel accommodation in the area.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly added; “This significant investment by the Kingfisher Country Estate is a great boost for the local tourism sector. The alternative accommodation options are an exciting addition to this well-established hotel and will complement the existing tourism offering.”