£14m expansion for Northern Ireland hotel including glamping…

Kingfisher Country Estate in Templepatrick has been given the green light by Antrim and Newtownabbey planning committee for an expansion tipped to bring up to 150 new jobs.

The location, the setting of hotel Doubletree by Hilton Templepatrick, was acquired by Loughview Leisure Group in 2021.

Loughview Leisure Group wants to add 68 bedroom-suites, a ground floor function room and conservatory, along with shepherd huts, glamping pods, log cabins and a hotel manager’s lodge.

According to the council, it’s estimated that 30 to 50 construction jobs would be created during the building process, with another 70 to 100 jobs upon completion.

The four-storey extension is proposed for the southern part of the hotel, with 20-bedroom suites on the first, second and third floors respectively with the remaining eight on the fourth floor.

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

In addition, eight glamping cabins, 10 shepherd huts and three larger log cabins, all with self-catering facilities, will be added.

The approved plans will also provide an additional 304 parking spaces

DUP councillor Jeanie Archibald-Brown, chairperson of Antrim and Newtownabbey planning committee, said: “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.”

Neil Kelly, Alliance Party mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, 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.”

Loughview Leisure Group also owns Belfast’s Ten Square Hotel.