Residents angry over plans for ‘recovery’ hub in estate
By Aideen O'Flaherty
RESIDENTS of the Glencarrig estate in Firhouse are up in arms over plans for a former nursing home in the area to instead be used to house a Depaul-run rehabilitation and recovery-orientated family hub.
The plans have caused disquiet since the cross-border homelessness charity lodged an application with South Dublin County Council seeking an exemption from planning permission for the change of use of the facility – with the local authority declaring it exempt last March.
Glencarrig Nursing Home
The Glencarrig Residents’ Association is calling on the council to reverse their decision, citing a number of concerns.
A spokesperson for the residents’ association told The Echo: “Situating a centre for women who have completed an addiction rehabilitation programme of up to one year, and their children, in a small residential cul-de-sac development of 49 houses is entirely inappropriate.
“We wish to express our deep concern at the council’s decision, that was made without any consultation with or the provision of information to the local residents.
“We implore the council to reconsider it and explore other options for repurposing the facility that would be more suitable to our small housing estate.”
The residents’ association also said they felt the council had “railroaded” the plans for the hub, and had “shown total disregard for the welfare of the residents”, most recently by excluding residents from a presentation by Depaul for local councillors.
The plans and the council’s decision are currently the subject of an An Bord Pleanála appeal, and a decision on the appeal has not yet been made.
The spokesperson added: “Our objection to this development is not based on NIMBY-ism but to the unsuitability of the location – the middle of a small housing estate – and the fact that there are other facilities catering for those in need of social care in the immediate vicinity.”
A spokesperson for Depaul previously told The Echo that the purpose of the hub will be “to provide accommodation to women and children with the long-term aim of aiding them into their own long-term accommodation.”
They added: “The service will be communal in nature and will take a therapeutic, recovery-orientated approach in supporting families who have been referred to this service.
“This service will cater for a maximum of 13 families. It is important to stress that the service is abstinence-based and will support families who are committed to a recovery-orientated lifestyle.
“Depaul will make every effort to ensure local residents and resident groups are engaged with and kept informed on the status of the service and when the service will become operational.”
A council spokesperson said: “South Dublin County Council received a proposal from Depaul in relation to the provision of supported residential accommodation at the former Glencarrig Nursing Home.
“The proposed service provider has called door-to-door to engage and consult with local residents and they have also held an information meeting for the public as well as a briefing for local elected representatives.
“A further local briefing for councillors and residents’ representatives is being organised at the request of the local area committee.”
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