Meath County Council has ruled that the applicant behind a proposed accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Kells, Co Meath, will be required to apply for planning permission.
The local authority has decided that reconfiguring the industrial unit in Kells Business Park into residential accommodation is not an exempted development.
Therefore, full planning permission will have to be sought and granted before the accommodation centre could get the green light.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "On 11th February 2025, Meath County Council, in accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023, declared the proposed development is not exempted development and therefore is a development requiring planning permission."
However, the department has said that it is still in the early stages of assessing the offer and no decision has been made in relation to the property.
In a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration said: "The Department is working very closely with communities across the country to source and provide suitable accommodation and meet the urgent needs for shelter and support for vulnerable men, women and children who are seeking international protection.
"The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in over 320 international protection accommodation centres across the country, in every county.
"The Department has received an offer of international protection accommodation in relation to this property.
"We are in the early stages of carrying out an appraisal of the offer and no decision has been made in relation to this property."
Meanwhile, councillors in the Kells Municipal District have welcomed the decision announced by Meath County Council.
In a joint statement, they said: "The councillors believe this outcome reinforces the importance of adhering to proper planning practices to protect the integrity of the planning process.
"The councillors have formally requested that the relevant Department of Integration be made immediately aware of this decision.
"In addition, the councillors have reiterated their unanimous objections to the proposed site for an IPAS centre, emphasising several key issues, including:
"The absence of adequate social infrastructure and amenities to support residential use in this location.
"The limited availability of local services, including medical and educational facilities.
"Environmental considerations related to the site.
"Safety concerns for any potential tenants of the proposed development.
"The impact on the restricted supply of commercially zoned premises in Kells, which are vital for supporting economic development and job creation in the area."
The joint statement also said that the councillors remain unanimously committed to ensuring that any developments in Kells Business Park or elsewhere adhere to robust planning principles that prioritise community needs, sustainability, and the long-term viability of the district.
Separately, there have been a number of protests against the proposed use of the unit in the Kells Business Park as an IPAS accommodation centre, the most recent of which took place last night.
