An Bord Pleanála has rejected a request to impose a condition on the promoters of a new homeless hostel in Ennis, Co Clare, that sex offenders or ex-prisoners be banned from residing at the hostel.
The appeals board gave Clare County Council permission to convert the existing Laurel Lodge on Ennis's Clare Road to a hostel for 13 homeless men.
The cost of the project is estimated at €2.1 million and comes against the background of two homeless men dying on Ennis' streets in recent years.
Ennis Town Council agreed the plan in spite of objections from residents to the proposal who claim it "will attract a significant anti-social element to the locality".
In the subsequent appeal, Patrick Donnelly sought that a planning condition be imposed to notify locals if sex offenders live at the hostel.
Stating that gardaí should also be notified of sex offenders living at the hostel, Mr Donnelly said: "There are three schools within half a mile from the proposed premises and these institutions should also have the right of notification of residency of such persons."
He added: "I would request in the event of the granting of permissions that the planning conditions prohibit the residency of former prisoners, or at a minimum, former convicted sex offenders."
The board rejected Mr Donnelly's request, but stated that a management plan outlining access, security and staffing arrangements for the hostel be drawn up and submitted to the town council. The board ruled that the proposed change of use would not injure the amenities of residential property having regard to the scale of the development and the management arrangements.
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