'Heartily sick' - Tipperary councillor unhappy with submission of planning request for Dundrum hotel

Tipperary County Councillor Liam Browne has expressed his discontent following the decision taken by the Tipperary County Council to refer a Section 5 application to An Coimisiún Pleanála regarding the Dundrum House Hotel.

The request was submitted on behalf of Utmasta Limited, with the company looking to clarify if the repurposing of buildings on the site counts as development.

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In a statement, Cllr Browne said: “As an elected member of Tipperary County Council, I wish to express my concern and disappointment regarding the Council’s decision to refer the recent Section 5 planning request concerning Dundrum House Hotel to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

“This request, submitted on 6th October 2025 by an agent acting on behalf of Utmasta Limited, seeks a determination on whether the proposed change of use of several buildings on the site constitutes development, and if so, whether it is exempted development under planning legislation.

“I believe this matter should have been dealt with internally by Tipperary County Council, as is standard practice. The referral to An Coimisiún Pleanála raises serious questions about transparency and consistency in how planning matters are handled, particularly given that a similar Section 5 request was previously granted by the Council, only to be later ceded when unauthorised developments on the site came to light.

“The public and elected representatives deserve clarity on why this decision was escalated externally, especially in light of the planning history associated with this site.

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“I have sought further information and accountability on this issue and will continue to advocate for a planning process that is fair, transparent, and consistent.

“The public are heartily sick of being kept in the dark when decisions like this are being made, and I am just as annoyed that elected representatives are not informed of decisions until after they have been made,” Cllr Browne concluded.

A Section 5 application was submitted earlier this year, however the decision was quickly reversed.

The reversal of the decision came after the County Council had granted it based on flawed environmental information.