Judicial review granted into An Bord Pleanala decision on drug rehab centre

A recent An Bord Pleanala decision regarding the Narconon Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Ballivor, Co Meath has been stayed by the High Court in Dublin today pending a judicial review and the High Court gave leave for the judicial review to proceed.

In December 2014, planning permission was granted for a nursing home at the Old National School site in Ballivor by Meath Co Council.

In September 2016, Meath Co Council made a declaration confirming that, in the light of the permission already granted and the similarities with a residential drug rehab, that no further planning permission was required for the site to be used as a residential drug rehabilitation facility. It was on that basis that Narconon Trust concluded the property was suitable for its use and it purchased it, subsequent to that declaration, in December 2016.

More than 2 years later, when construction work on the building is nearly complete, An Bord Pleanala made a contradictory declaration. It is this declaration which has been stayed and is being challenged by judicial review.

The proposed centre will cater for 30 people and eighteen staff in a 3,100 sq. meter modern facility expected to cost in the region of €5.6m.

A spokesperson for Narconon Trust today welcomed the announcement of a judicial review and stay on the ABP decision.

"Narconon decided to establish the Ballivor facility to serve the entire country. The centre will be worth in the region of €850,000 per year to the local community, with food and supplies to be sourced locally, and about 6 full time positions will be offered locally for catering, housekeeping and landscape maintenance."

More to follow...