An extension of a Laois retirement home is being granted despite the local parish priest objecting.
Miguel House in Castletown is expanding to include specialist care for sufferers of dementia and alzheimers.
Planning permission has been sought by the De La Salle Order to build a two-storey extension to Miguel House to provide residential care accommodation to the south of the existing home.
In its planning notice, the De La Salle Order says the care provision will be a range of short, long term and specialist geriatric healthcare services, including various therapies and support activities for residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The town can’t cope
Fr William Hennessy, who lives across the road, claims the town’s sewerage and water systems could not cope with the development.
Father Hennessy said in his written submission that he is left with no option but to object to the proposal.
However, planners are satisfied the development will not overload the network and have approved the application.
In addition, the facility will contain a new kitchen to provide catering services for the new and existing building, along with heating plants and lifts.
“Storm and foul drainage will be provided to comply with local council standards at the development location,” the notice states.
“The development will be good for the village of Castletown and hopefully create local employment,” Fr Hennessy says in his submission. However, a serious problem with a development of this size is that the sewerage and foul water system in Castletown is already overloaded,” the parish priest said.
Since 2012, he outlined, the sewerage regularly overflows.
On one occasion, he said council officials witnessed raw sewage floating in his kitchen, utility room and hall.
“As you know, this poses a serious health hazard among other things,” he said in his submission. He said he had been informed that Laois County Council has insufficient funds to upgrade the sewerage system.
“Having regard to the circumstances as outlined… I have no option but to place an objection to the granting of planning for this development until such time as the existing sewerage and foul sewer is upgraded and rendered adequate to deal satisfactorily with a development of this size,” Fr Hennessy said.
He warns the parochial house and parish office will become uninhabitable should the proposed development be allowed to proceed and connect with the existing sewerage, storm and foul water system.
In a separate objection, Seamus O’Brien of Old Borris, Castletown outlines similar concerns.
“Even though I welcome the development, I have to object to planning permission being granted until the sewerage plant capabilities are brought up to a standard to deal with a development of this size,” he said.
The planning application was submitted to Laois County Council on January 22.
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