2560770
Intensify the usage of the creche, located at the Maltings, Harpurs Lane Portlaoise previous planning grant reference 24/60056. The existing planning accommodates 22 children, and the new application is designed to accommodate 58 children. The car parking for staff has been increased. The play area has also been revised.
Refused
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed intensification of the creche fails to meet the minimum internal floor space and outdoor play area requirements set out in the Section 28 Guidelines on Childcare Facilities.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The internal room layouts for Class 1 and Class 2 fail to meet the mandatory minimum floor area of 2.32sqm per child, resulting in a substandard environment for the proposed 58 children.
- The reduction of outdoor play space to 56.16sqm for 58 children provides less than 1sqm per child, which is grossly inadequate compared to the recommended national standard of 9sqm per child.
- The proposal lacks safe and adequate access to outdoor areas and fails to demonstrate that increased car parking requirements can be accommodated without further compromising the deficient play provision.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CCPO1CCPO 2CCPO3Policy DM CC1TCR O6Section 28 Guidelines on Childcare Facilities 2001
Decision Document Summary
The applicant sought permission to intensify the use of a permitted creche at The Maltings, Harpurs Lane, Portlaoise, increasing the capacity from 22 to 58 children. While the site is located within a 'Mixed Use' zone in Portlaoise town centre where such facilities are encouraged, the Planning Authority found the proposal unacceptable in its current form. The intensification would result in significant non-compliance with national childcare standards, specifically regarding insufficient internal...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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