Council approves extension to Killeigh complex for people with disabilities
A residential care complex for people with disabilities on the outskirts of Killeigh has been awarded planning permission by Offaly County Council for an expansion of its facilities.
Lightsky Ireland Ltd was granted permission for the construction of four one-bedroom dwelling units to be used in conjunction with the existing residential care complex for people with disabilities located at Mill House, Killeenmore, Killeigh, subject to 11 conditions.
Among the conditions is that the planned facility must be occupied "by persons with autism and intellectual disabilities only, and associated staff," and that it "shall not be occupied by persons with mental health disabilities".
Council planners have also stipulated that the four one-bed units can only be used in conjunction with the existing residential care complex and must not be “sold, let or otherwise transferred or conveyed”. They also stated that no floodlighting of the proposed development is permitted.
The planning application attracted a large number of submissions from local residents living in the area who raised issues in relation to safety, traffic, impact on the surrounding rural residential amenity and land zoning, among others.
Local Fianna Fail TD Tony McCormack also made a submission in which he stated that he had been made aware of “many incidents” where residents of the existing complex had been “roaming from the facility, walking in the middle of the road in an agitated state and calling to houses in the area”.
He said he wanted to “support the residents of Killeigh” in their objections to the proposed development, and claimed in his submission that, in a couple of cases, residents from the unit “had to be restrained” by residents from the local area “for their own safety and the safety of the community”.
Another submission, from a local couple, stated that they and their family “no longer feel safe” in taking walks in the area and worried that a client “with an unknown diagnosis may trespass on our property,” as had happened to their neighbours.
They added that Killeenmore has “an ageing community” that has a right to “live without fear” in their own homes. “The lack of security at this facility and events that have occurred over the years where clients have trespassed on properties has impacted on this fundamental right,” the submission stated,
Other submissions referred to a number of instances where patients had “absconded from the facility, overpowered staff and have attempted to break into nearby dwellings,” and where clients had been observed “on a dark road in a distressed state, screaming”.
The applicant stated that the four units were previously approved but were not constructed within the duration of that planing permission.
Responding to concerns raised in submissons, the applicant insisted that the rural location was suitable for the needs of residents with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Regarding the safety of service users on dark, narrow roads, it said: “There is always staff on the grounds of Millhouse to support residents and if a resident leaves Millhouse at any time in which they are entitled to do so, staff have a procedure to follow residents to ensure safety.”
On concerns raised about the safety of local residents, and service users, and “absconding incidents”, the applicant said: “Staff are always on site and support residents 24 hours per day.
“All staff are trained and qualified in working with individuals with autism/ID. They are also trained in PMAV/Positive Behavioural Support, where, if the named training is needed, it can be used on site and in the community.”
Planning approval for the additional facilities was granted on Friday last, June 20.