Stewarts Care is refused permission to change storage unit to day services unit

Stewarts Care has been refused permission for a change of use from office/storage unit to a unit for day services use at Unit 8, Hills Industrial Estate, Lower Lucan Road.

The plans included the material change of use from office/storage unit to a unit for day services use, to enable the provision of services to people with intellectual disabilities.

Included was the removal of the existing mezzanine floor, the removal of four existing windows and infilling to match existing cladding to the front and rear elevations at first-floor level and the installation of three new window openings to rear elevation at ground-floor level, the infilling of structural opening to front elevation with glazing and spandrel panelling.

The application stated that it would retain the existing internal roller shutter unit, the repositioning and widening of the main entrance door and the installation of a full-height fixed glazed unit to the front elevation, installation of manifestation signage to the front elevation door and glazing, the widening and lowering of the existing rear exit door.

In making its decision to refuse planning, the local authority said: “Under the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028 the zoning objective for the site is ‘EE’ – ‘To provide for enterprise and employment related uses’.

“There is no provision for day services use for people with intellectual disabilities contained within Table 12.15 of the Plan.

“Similar uses, including, ‘Health Centre’ and ‘Community Centre’, are listed as ‘Not Permitted’.

‘In this regard, the proposed change of use would be contrary to the land-use zoning of the site and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.