Appeal lodged over 155-bed nursing home plans at convent
By Maurice Garvey
A DETAILED appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála by local residents and organisations in Clondalkin, objecting to plans for a 155-bed nursing home in the village.
Plans by Bartra Property Ltd for the nursing home at the historic Presentation Convent site in Clondalkin Village were granted permission last month by South Dublin County Council.
Residents at a meeting over the plans for a nursing home at the historic Presentation Convent site
The proposed development has sparked a robust response in the community with over 80 submissions, mostly objections, lodged with South Dublin County Council.
A joint appeal was lodged last week by residents, and another submission was made by Scoil Mhuire, who raised concerns with the council regarding traffic, noise pollution, and loss of a “right of way” from the church to the adjacent school, arising from the development.
The resident’s joint appeal to ABP, states that SDCC have failed to accurately assess the impact of the proposal, and request the Board overturn the decision.
The appeal cites the belief that the proposed “overdevelopment of the site” would “negatively impact” the character of the area, protected structures, local wildlife species, and amenities of the school.
Residents are also very concerned about the potential for increased “traffic hazards” arising in the bottle neck village.
The historic Presentation Convent site
Cllr Eoin Ó Broin said: “An engaged selection of local organisations and residents have come together over the last few weeks to prepare a robust appeal to An Bord Pleanála and it has been a privilege to have been part of this process.”
Meanwhile, BMA Planning, on behalf of Bartra, have also made an appeal to the Board, requesting the removal of Condition 6 on the basis that it is “unworkable”.
Condition 6 of SDCC’s planning terms, states the nursing home shall not be occupied until all works are completed to the Protected Structure to the satisfaction of SDCC Architectural Conservation Officer and that this is agreed in writing.
According to the appeal, Bartra feel this is unworkable on the basis that the nursing home and retirement home are “proposed to come into operation in unison.”
“An appropriate phasing strategy in accordance with Condition 5 will ensure the implementation of the overall development including the works of the Protected Structure,” said BMA Planning.
ABP are due to make a decision on the case by October 21, 2019.
