A new application has been submitted for the establishment of an accommodation centre for International Protection applicants in Kells, Co Meath to be classified as an exempted development.
Meath County Council previously ruled that the applicant behind the proposed accommodation centre would have to apply for planning permission.
Last month, the local authority decided that reconfiguring the industrial unit in Kells Business Park into residential accommodation was not an exempted development.
However, in a statement today, the council confirmed that a new application had been submitted for the proposed accommodation centre to be classified as an exempted development.
"An application for a declaration of exempted development under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act 2000-2023 was received by Meath County Council on 28th February."
The statement went on to say that "the proposal relates to temporary use by or on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to accommodate or support displaced persons or persons seeking International Protection."
A decision on the new application is due to be made by Meath County Council by 28 March.
Previous offer rejected
Meanwhile, the Department of Integration has confirmed that a previous offer to provide an IPAS accomodation centre in Kells has been rejected.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: "An offer of International Protection accommodation that was made to the Department in relation to this property was rejected following our appraisal process.
"If a property provider engages with the local authority in relation to an updated Section 5 [exemption] application, they may potentially submit a new offer for our consideration in the future."
Local councillors in the Kells Municipal District previously raised a number of concerns about the proposal with the council executive.
The key issues raised included what the councillors said were "the absence of adequate social infrastructure and amenities, the limited availability of medical, educational and other local services, environmental considerations, safety concerns for potential tenants, and the restricted supply locally of commercially zoned premises required for ongoing economic development".
Separately, a number of protests were held locally last month against the proposed use of the unit in the Kells Business Park as an IPAS accommodation centre.
