This article is from page 4 of the 2011-06-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
AN BORD Pleanála has given the go-ahead for the development of a 26-bedroom nursing home to be built in Tulla that will be able to cater for up to 30 patients.
The planning appeals authority handed down its judgement last week, bringing to an end a process started in December 2009 when John and Ted Nugent originally submitted plans to Clare County Council to develop the nursing home facility in the East Clare town.
The decision to give the project the go-head comes even though an inspector’s report said the development would be contrary to proper planning.
“I consider that the location of a 26-bedroom nursing home together with 8 no. assisted living complex units, ancillary facilities and associated site development works on this site would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” said Planning Inspector Patricia Young.
However, in making the order granting permission for the project, An Bord Pleanála said “in deciding not to accept the inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the board considered that a nursing home at this location would not contravene materially the development plan, having regard to its location and connectivity to the settlement of Tulla and to the pattern of existing and permitted development in the immediate vicinity.”
There were a number of objections to the original nursing home application, with Noreen Hickey from Cork saying “the proposed devel opment contravenes the new HIQA standards with are underpinned by legislation” and that it is “outside the existing town zoned area which contravenes the planning regulations of Tulla”.
Conditional permission for the development was granted by Clare County Council planners last December, with Director of Service Nora Kaye saying that “the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would not be prejudicial to public health and would otherwise accord with proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.