Laois IPAS centre plans halted as Council seek more information

Laois County Council has sought further information in relation to plans for two IPAS centres in the village of Durrow. Applicant Marc Lennon submitted two planning applications for asylum centres at Lennon’s Bar and Peadar’s Bar at Mary Street. The applications attracted significant opposition with hundreds of submissions and a series of public meetings held. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO 

Hundreds attended a public meeting in the village over the plans. 

In both applications Laois County Council planners requested Mr Lennon to demonstrate that the accommodation meets the Department of Justice standards for IPAS Centres. In both cases he was requested to confirm whether relevant contracts are in place with the Department of Justice for IPAS accommodation on the sites.

In relation to Peader’s Bar the Council commented: “The description of the development on the public notices submitted states ‘the retention and change of use of the existing bar on the ground floor and private accommodation on the first floor’. This description suggests that there is an existing bar on the ground floor. This conflicts with the existing floor plans submitted which shows accommodation on the ground floor. Furthermore, the Planning Report submitted states that the property is currently in use as an IPAS centre which again conflicts with the description of the development in the public notices. The
applicant goes on to state in the Planning Report that the property is currently vacant and has been permitted as a guesthouse which also appears to be incorrect. The applicant is requested to clarify these matters.”

The Council said there were inconsistencies between the number of proposed beds for Peader’s Bar. They said while the report states 30 beds the drawings indicate more than this number.

The planning authority was unable to access the rear of Peader’s Bar or Lennon’s Bar during the time of the site inspections and the applicant was asked to arrange a time for another inspection for both locations.

Further questions were raised around the proposed floor area at Peader’s Bar and surface water attenuation and disposal.
Issues around the boundary of the site were also raised and clarity sought on whether it is encroaching on thirty-party lands to the north without consent.

The application for Peader’s Bar received 128 submissions raising concerns while Lennon’s Bar received 129.

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The Council also sought clarification on the description of development at Lennon’s Bar questioning the request for ‘the change of use of the existing pub & guesthouse’.

“This appears to be an incorrect description as retention permission was granted under planning file reference 24/60198 to retain the change of use of the pub to a guesthouse/hostel,” the planners stated.

“The public notices state that a proposed change of use to an IPAS centre is sought. It is noted from the submissions on file that the property is currently either partly or completely in use to house displaced persons from Ukraine in which case the property may already be used in this capacity and the public notices may be incorrect as a result.”

A number of submissions from residents living beside Lennon’s Bar disputed the applicant’s claim that the property is vacant and the Council sought clarification on this.

Again the local authority said there were inconsistencies around the number of proposed beds for Lennon’s Bar with the planning report indicating 30 bed spaces but the drawings showing in excess of this.

Mr Lennon now must provide the further information requested within six months or the applications will be declared withdrawn.