Plans for IPAS Centre at old HSE building in Kells scrapped

Proposals to provide accommodation for International Protection applicants at the old HSE headquarters in Kells have been scrapped.

The owners of the building have informed the Kells area councillors that they have decided not to proceed with the proposal

In a joint statement the councillors said that "on foot of significant engagement with the owners of the old HSE building, Headfort Place, Kells, we are pleased to report that we have received formal communication indicating that the owners are not now in favor of any IPAS Centre on the site.

"They have instructed their legal team to cease all applications to the local authority and the Department for the provision of any such accommodation service.

"In light of this development, it is now the expectation of the Kells Municipal District Councillors that the owners, through their legal team, will formally withdraw their Section 5 application currently under consideration by Meath County Council’s planning department.

"Furthermore, we anticipate that the owners will communicate to the Department of Integration that they will not be entering into a legal contract with them for the provision of services.

"We appreciate the engagement of our constituents on this issue and will continue to keep all stakeholders informed as developments occur."

A Section 5 application was lodged with Meath County Council earlier this month to establish whether or not an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre at the Navan Road building would be an exempted under the planning laws.

The application by Star Strand Ltd is currently under consideration by the council and a decision was due by 29th April.

The building had, until the last few months, accommodated 70 Ukrainian refugees and their removal caused widespread local anger. The community come out in force to hold a vigil in support of the refugees who had become part of the local community.

The application in respect of the the old health board building comes just weeks after a separate property in the town was twice refused a planning exemption to accommodate international protection applicants.

Following an initial Section 5 application, Meath County Council ruled in February that a proposed IPAS centre at Kells Business Park would not be an exempted development and would require planning permission. A second application was made in respect of the same property and was refused for a second time last month.

Also this month the council refused a Section 5 application for an IPAS Centre in a former Oldcastle Hotel.

Meanwhile two Facebook pages have been set up in the local community. 'Kells Says No' has opposed any proposals for an IPAS centre in the town, while 'Kells Says Yes' had indicated it is welcoming refugees.