Planning permission for asylum seeker accommodation in Roscommon town was initially refused over public safety concerns. Roscommon County Council said the development on Goff Street would pose a traffic hazard and obstruct road users.
Noel Whelan has applied to An Bord Pleanala to overturn the decision in order to use Academy House to house those seeking International Protection. Noel Whelan applied to An Bord Pleanala in April for an exemption to accommodate International Protection applicants at Academy House in Roscommon town.
According to documents seen by Shannonside FM, Roscommon County Council had initially refused permission in March of this year. It said the proposal had the potential to endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard or obstruction of road users.
A review dated 17th of February from Dublin-based NRB Consulting Engineers contradicted the council's safety assessment. It said Academy House has been used since 2023 to accommodate Ukrainian refugees.
The property, it continued, was granted a fire certifacte in November of last year following some upgrade works NRB's assessment concluded it would not pose an adverse or unacceptable pedestrian, road traffic or safety issue.
A letter from Dublin-based Thomas P English and Associates had previously been issued to the local authority in February. It stated the building would be used to accommodate a maximum of 17 residents rather than 21 which had been stated.
The Council, however, concluded that it was not an exempted development under the Planning and Development Act of 2000. A decision is expected by the higher planning authority in August of this year.
