Plans for former Portlaoise nursing home to become childcare facility

Plans to transform a former nursing home in Portlaoise into a childcare facility and respite centre have been lodged with Laois County Council. 

Hope Childcare has applied for the change of use of Ballard Lodge on Borris Road from a nursing home into a facility that would cater for almost 100 children.

 
Ballard Lodge Nursing Home announced in April it was closing due to escalating costs and regulatory challenges. 

The planning application seeks permission for the renovation and remodelling of part of the existing building  to accommodate a childcare facility for 97 children with an after-school room. It also includes plans to renovate and remodel part of the existing building to accommodate a respite centre to accommodate six bedrooms with a kitchen extension, demolition of a number of outbuildings and sheds on the site, with amended ground works for play areas and the provision of car parking spaces.

"The existing building was previously used as a nursing home which has recently ceased operation and is  vacant and in the process of being sold to a new owner, the applicant," the planning documents state. 

"It is proposed to provide via an amended layout within the existing building a childcare service far up to almost 100 children, and a respite Centre accommodating six bedrooms. The works involve the subdivision of the existing building, removal of a number of ancillary outbuildings and a number of small external extensions outlined in the drawings. The child care service as outlined will operate between 8 am and 6 pm.

"It is proposed that the facility will accommodate a maximum of 97 children at one time."

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