Council’s nursing home approval appealed

CLARE County Council has paved the way for the development of a state-of-the-art convalescence home on the site of the former Two Mile Inn Hotel in Meelick.
However, whether the hotel, which closed late last year with the loss of 15 jobs, is converted into a 56-bedroom nursing home will hinge on a ruling by An Bord Pleanála following an appeal to the grant of planning.
Developers O’Moradh Construction Ltd were given the green light by the council for a material change of use from a hotel to a convalescence home and other developments included the construction of an outdoor fenced children’s play area.
The project also makes provision for the construction of a dining room extension to the side of the existing rear wing of the premises, the construction of a staff room and toilets to the rear of the existing main bar area, remedial internal modification works and the demolition of the existing water tower structure.
Clare County Council has attached 15 conditions to planning.
Connellan and Associates of Harmony Row, Ennis act for the appellant, Noel Connellan of 3 Cahircalla Wood, Cahircalla Road, Ennis.
In their objection, they argue inadequate attention has been paid to the planning history of the Two Mile Inn complex and particularly the necessary functional co-ordination of development in this area and the existence of previous restrictive conditions on the operation of existing development on the site.
They also maintain the development would materially contravene a condition attached to an existing permission of development and that the development was located in a rural area remote from any neighbourhoods, community facilities and relevant infrastructure including public footpaths in contravention of development plans for the area.
They also contend the development, because of the nature of the use proposed and the unrelated nature of this use to other existing uses on the site, would give rise to additional and unrelated traffic movements on the site, set a precedent for other such unrelated uses and would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.
The also claim the development would seriously injure the amenities or depreciate the value of the existing apart-hotel (bedroom suites) complex in the vicinity, which was granted and developed as an integral part of the hotel development.
Finally, they argue the amenity and health of the proposed residents of the development would be adversely impacted by the existing uses on site, in particular the pub-restaurant use, which would give rise to vehicular and pedestrian movements late in the evening at an night.
An Bord Pleanála is expected to deliver a ruling in early April next.