Killeigh care facility gets planning green light

An Bord Pleanála has granted permission with revised conditions to Bradbury House Ireland Limited for a residential care complex for people with with intellectual disabilities and autism at Mill House, Killeenmore, Killeigh.

The decision was taken on June 6 last. The applicant can now progress with planned extensions and alterations to the small cluster of buildings around a former corn mill in the rural area south-east of Tullamore.

The buildings are currently in residential and holiday apartment use.

Offaly County Council had already received 141 submissions on the facility.

Appealing to An Bord Pleanala were Liam Ó hOistín of Cloncon, Tullamore; John Cleary of Killeenmore; and Joan Condron of Killeenmore, and Niall Stack.

The grounds of appeal relate to issues of amenity and traffic. 

They also questioned the nature of the proposed facility and the type of people using it and believed it was contrary to the settlement strategy in the development plan.

Planning Inspector Philip Davis recommended that subject to conditions the proposed change of use along with alterations to the buildings should be granted planning permission.

"Having regard to the existing structures and the planning history of the site, it is considered the proposed development is acceptable in principle and does not represent a significant intensification of the use of the site," he stated in his report.

The board concluded that, subject to the conditions, the proposed development is in accordance with the policies set out in the development plan, would not injure local amenities, and would not represent a hazard to health or a traffic hazard. 

The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, it said.

Five conditions are attached to the permission. These include that the development shall be carried out and completed in accordance with the plans and particulars lodged with the application, and secondly that the facility shall be occupied and used by persons with autism and intellectual disabilities only, and associated staff. The facility shall not be occupied by persons with mental health illnesses.

Thirdly, the external finishes of the proposed extension (including roof tiles/slates) shall be the same as those of the existing dwelling in respect of colour and texture. 

The fourth condition pertains to the water supply and drainage arrangements, including the disposal of surface water, which shall comply with the requirements of the planning authority; and finally, vegetation to the south-east corner of ‘Building 03’ shall be removed prior to the commencement of operation of the facility. The sightline triangle shall be kept free of obstruction at all time in the interest of traffic safety.