When making a planning application for a Nursing Home, an applicant should presume from the start that all applications will be appealed to AN BORD PLEANALA

A decision of An Bord Pleanala, reference 07218183, stated as follows 

                              “It is considered that, notwithstanding the land use zoning (community use) of the site, its peripheral location circa two kilometres from existing services and facilities in the Town Centre is remote and disconnected and would be unsuitable and unsustainable for a nursing home and associated development and would be contrary to the policies of the planning authority. The proposed development would, therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

If there is a third party appeal An Bord Pleanala, will act as the final arbiter. The above is the stated position of its inspectors, as upheld by the Bord members.

When preparing a planning application for a Nursing Home the applicant in addition to the above, must also take the objectives of, the LOCAL AREA PLAN, and the COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN into consideration. Even if the Local area plan, or County development plan, do not have a stated objective of requiring Nursing Home developments to be in close proximity to community services, a third party objector may appeal a positive decision from the local Council to An Bord Pleanala and invoke the decision reference 07218183. Applicants for a nursing home must therefore, prepare a PLANNING STRATEGY to oversee the dynamism of their application.

The National Quality Standards and the Regulations made under the Health Act 2007 have requirements that must be addressed, when preparing a planning application. Some stand out as follows, physical standards, size of rooms and their configuration, accessibility, green areas, secure open areas for dementia residents, residents privacy. HEALTH and SAFETY requirements must be addressed in the design.

 The design should maximise the efficient use of labour.  An inferior design will add €40,000 to €70,000 to annual staff labour costs. A detailed matrix of design detail, set against financial constraints could determine the long term viability of the Nursing Home project.