The Dundrum Group protesting the creation of an IPAS centre at the Dundrum House Hotel Complex is to take a Judicial Review after Tipperary county council granted a Section 5 Declaration that confirms that planning permission is not required for a change of use of specified parts of the property for accommodating people seeking protection in Ireland. The group in Dundrum says the Judicial Review could cost up to €20,000 and is now appealing for financial support from the community.
The document submitted in the application to the Council includes the Holm Oak houses, The Square Block, The Coach House and the ground floor of the Old Wing/C Block but does not include the Manor House building which is also a cause of concern to the protest group who fear it will fall into dereliction. The legal action will also challenge the Section 5 Declaration Process which is based on legislation the Government passed that allows property owners to apply for a declaration that such a change of use request is exempt from requiring planning permission. The application was submitted by Brogan Capital Ventures limited and approved by the Council on January 10th who highlight that the Section 5 Declaration refers to a material change and does not include for any works.
Ukrainian Refugees at the complex have been informed that they will be relocated or can find their own accommodation by February 7th – at present approximately 70 applicants for International Protection are accommodated in Dundrum with the Department of Integration previously stating that the facility could accommodate 277 persons.
