A £20m Merrow Hotel and Spa in Portstewart, County Antrim has received approval from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s planning committee, with development expected to be completed by 2027.
The hotel will feature 119 bedrooms, two restaurants, a spa, and conferencing facilities for 350 people, strategically located near the North West 200 motorcycle race start and finish lines.
The project faced legal challenges since its proposal in 2016 by C&V Developments Ltd, with 141 objections and 190 letters of support received, alongside petitions both for and against the development. Among the opponents was hardline unionist MP Jim Allister.
The new hotel aims to provide accommodation, create job opportunities, offer training, and support local businesses, though the planning application is subject to a “call-in” which could potentially delay the project or result in further scrutiny.
