2660042
planning permission for development comprising the change of use of the approved creche facility to residential use adjacent No. 61 Wood Stream, Old Road, Bailis Td. / Alexander Reid Td., Navan, Co. Meath. The change of use of the granted but not activated ground floor creche facility measuring 144.7 sqm is intended to form 2 no. ground level access apartments 1 no. (81 sqm) 2 bed apartment and 1 no. (61.2 sqm) 1 bed apartment, with provision for 3 no. car parking spaces, 6 no. cycle parking spaces, associated enclosed bin storage and dedicated private open space areas
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed change of use from a childcare facility to residential units is contrary to Policy SOC POL 5 of the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, which requires the provision of childcare facilities in large residential developments to ensure the creation of sustainable and integrated communities.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The removal of the creche facility would contravene Condition 5 of the parent permission (Pl. Ref. 21/21), which mandated the provision of childcare infrastructure to serve the 93-unit residential development.
- The proposal is inconsistent with the Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024) and the Childcare Facilities Guidelines (2001), as it fails to provide necessary social infrastructure in a peripheral neighborhood with a identified lack of such services.
- Granting permission for the change of use would establish an undesirable precedent for the piecemeal removal of essential community facilities, thereby negatively impacting the proper planning and sustainable development of the Navan area.