Green light for revised Cratloe nursing home

THE submission of revised plans, which have reduced the capacity of a Cratloe nursing home by four beds, have been approved by Clare County Council.
Olivia English had applied to the local planning department for retention of a ground-floor extension, first floor conservatory, internal alterations and emergency service entrance at Sancta Maria Nursing Home, Brickhill, Cratloe.
However, Ms English had to substantially amend her initial plans following concerns expressed by the council.
The council attached four planning conditions including a stipulation that the development has to be carried out in accordance with details submitted on January 6, 2010 and a requirement to pay the council a contribution of €1,715 towards the provision of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the development.
According to a council planning report, six bedrooms were removed on the ground floor and were replaced by administration offices, visitors’ room and store.
The report noted that the existing day room on the ground floor would be converted into two bedrooms with a new bay window and confirmed all these changes would reduce the overall capacity of the nursing home by four beds.
A report from the environment section claimed a new treatment plant by Clearwater has been installed in the last few years but wasn’t approved under the 2003 planning application grant, which stipulated a Puraflo system discharging to the ground.
“The on-site system doesn’t have planning permission. The percolation area size and construction has not been certified by a member of the panel as requested by Further Information and clarification.
“The applicant has received a discharge licence in March 2007 and the plant is operating reasonably okay. The plant is probably sufficient and may suffice instead of a Puraflo but may need to be addressed in planning,” the report stated.
Galway-based architects, project managers and civil and structural engineers, O’Neill and O’Malley recently submitted revised plans and information to the council following its request for further information.
In his submission to the council, John O’Neill, O’Neill/O’Malley stated the internal layout has been changed to meet the requirements of the Health Information and Quality Authority’s National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland, which were published on February 17, 2009.
Under the new HIQA standards, the existing nursing home is approved to accommodate 34 residents. As a result, the parking requirement is 12 spaces, 13 spaces have been provided by the applicant on an enclosed site plan.