Laois family appeal colour of Mountmellick nursing home to Bord Pleanála

A Laois family may have stalled the completion of an extension to the HSE's biggest nursing home in Laois, over a disagreement on the building's vibrant yellow striped exterior.

St Vincent's Community Nursing Unit in Mountmellick is getting a €6.82 million extension of 50 ensuite bedrooms for residents, and it is due to be completed in 2025.  

Last April, the Health Service Executive (HSE) Midlands Area applied for planning retention for some changes to the building ahead of its completion. This includes material alterations to the external envelope, the demolition of an existing shed and construction of a new boiler house. Reconfiguration/upgrade landscaping works and associated minor works.

They also sought permission to keep the addition of a yellow coloured cement render between windows sections on the façade. The HSE said that they were "seeking to reduce the austere look of the building as per the original design and to introduce a colour which will make the building more inviting and more in keeping with a nursing home".

Laois County Council gave approval in June, despite a submission made about the colour by the neighbours.

Ann Dunne and Hilary Murphy own two houses across the road and had lodged a joint submission, objecting to the colour of the imposing new block. They included photos of their windows showing the reflection of the building in every one.

They explained their objections. 

"We believe this bright render will have a significant negative visual impact on the local area. The chosen colour is not in keeping with the character of the surrounding buildings. It could disrupt the visual harmony of the neighbourhood and create a jarring and out-of-place appearance.

"The bright colour may cause a detrimental affect on the residential environment, particularly in regard to glare, which could affect residents' comfort and enjoyment of their homes. The brightness could leave to a constant visual disturbance especially at certain times of the day when sunlight reflects off the building. This yellow render reflects brightly onto our windows causing an obstructive glare," they said.

Instead they asked the council to "encourage a more neutral or toned down alternative". 

Last month the nursing home received a glowing inspection report by HIQA

The neighbours have now lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, asking the national planning authority to review the decision.

The case is due to be decided in early November 2025.

Read also: Nearly 70 new social homes in Mountmellick to 'make a huge difference' 

The extension to St Vincent's CNU was pursued to comply with HIQA regulations on single ensuite bedrooms.  The HSE has allocated €300k for design feasibility for phases 2 & 3 of the project to build another 50-bed new build and refurbish 30 bedrooms inside the existing community hospital.