A Clare childcare facility said to be a “lifeline” to many families has been dealt a severe blow following a long battle to secure planning permission.
Páistí Beaga Creche and Montessori in Quin has been refused retention permission for a development carried out in 2020 which Clare County Council claims would “seriously injure the amenities of residential property in the vicinity” if allowed to remain in place.
The facility is located in the home of its operators Patricia and John Hennessy on Newline Road in Quin and has been open since 2004.
To align with Covid-19 restrictions, a covered external shelter and play area were erected on the site in 2020 with the aid of a Government grant.
On December 12th last year, the facility applied for planning permission for the retention of the shelter and play area along with the designation of the house’s ground floor as a creche and montessori.
A total of 20 submissions in support of the application have been made since this date, with parents of some of the 70 children who frequent the facility describing it as a “lifeline” and a “vital service” while pointing out that it’s the only facility of its kind in Quin.
Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes has written in support of the application stating granting retention permission “will ensure the crucial levels of childcare services are maintained for the region which is essential for the stability and productivity of the work”.
Ei Electronics CEO Mick Guinee has expressed similar sentiments in his submission, stating “the potential reduction in capacity or closure of the creche and afterschool service at Páistí Beaga would have a profound effect on our community”.
The only submission made in objection to the development has been lodged by Patrick Coleman and Associates on behalf of the Gallagher family who live next door to Páistí Beaga.
The letter states their opposition to the development is on several grounds including the “unauthorised intensification of commercial use on the site” as well the “erection of unauthorised structures”.
Clare County Council has now confirmed it’s refusing to grant planning permission, explaining that as the facility is a commercial premises in a residential area, allowing the development to go ahead would “seriously injure the amenities of residential property in the vicinity”.
Furthermore, it says that due to the number of staff employed as well as the number of children who attend the facility, the level of traffic arising from this activity would “endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard”.
