ABP grants Pieta House planning permission for Tallaght premises
By Aideen O'Flaherty
PIETA House has successfully appealed South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for the change of use of part of the existing Youthreach premises in Tallaght Business Centre on Whitestown Road.
The charity lodged an application for planning permission last March, for the change of use of the aforementioned premises from educational use to uses for the provision of medical and/or health services.
Provisions for internal modifications and external changes to the site, including elevations and signage, were included in the initial application for planning permission.
The council refused permission for the change of use in May, because the proposed change of use would contravene the EE zoning objective of the site, which is to provide for enterprise and employment related uses, and they didn’t view the business park as an appropriate location for a healthcare facility.
Pieta House lodged a first-party appeal with An Bord Pleanala in June against the council’s decision, and this month ABP granted permission for the change of use.
ABP granted permission on a number of grounds, including the view that the small scale of the proposed change of use means the development will not contravene the zoning designation of the subject site.
The appeals body further added that as the site is within walking distance of Tallaght Town Centre and Tallaght Hospital, and it benefits from public transport links, it can therefore be considered that Tallaght Business Centre would be a suitable location for the facility.
The national policy with regard to the prevention of suicide was also referenced in the Board’s decision to grant permission for the development.
