Ebrington Hotel plans change approved as project prices soar

The developer behind Derry’s Ebrington Hotel development had a plea to councillors to remove a condition for the installation of single pane windows approved as he revealed costs for the project have soared.

An application was lodged to permit the removal of conditions requiring timber single-glazed windows in the Clock Tower building to allow for uPVC sliding sash double-glazed windows.

Developer Cecil Doherty said: “We’re looking at spending £15m developing an international tourism footfall into the city with single glazed windows.

He told the council American visitors would be staying in the Clock Tower building and the heating would have to be turned up to 30 degrees Celsius to maintain some sort of body temperature in those rooms , adding “it’s not acceptable”.

It is anticipated the project will create over 120 jobs, attracting visitors from around the world and give a new lease of life to the Ebrington site, however cost for the project have risen from £11m to £15m.

“Your decision today will be instrumental to that hotel and that entity for this city. And irrespective of national or international regulation, these are exceptional times that requires bravery from you the members to have the foresight to support what we’re trying to do,” Mr Doherty said.

Harry McConnell from RPP Architects which represents Ebrington Leisure Holdings said the buildings were initially listed with new uPVC windows but the current single glaze putty windows were added during the City of Culture year in 2013 when the buildings were being used as exhibition spaces.

They weren’t measured for the size of the openings, have “significant gaps all around them” and are therefore “ill fitting” and “not fit for purpose”, he said.

Mr McConnell told councillors: “We made this application in February 19th this year against the backdrop of continuing price rises within the construction industry and on the 24th of February this year Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Since that date we are suffering intense increases across all materials.”

The single glazed windows are not appropriate in terms of energy consumption and there would be issues with condensation, the architect said.

The applicant included 60 pages of price increases for councillors to view.

Councillor Sean Mooney said the hotel development is a very important generator for the Ebrington site and he was satisfied the replacement windows would be appropriate.

All members voted in favour of the motion.