Meath County Council granted planning permission for a nursing home on the site of the old National School building (Ballivor) in December 2014 (planning reference TA140621) to Smith and Smith, Rathmore, Aughnacliffe, Co. Longford. In September 2016, the Council was asked by Narconon Trust for an opinion as to whether or not a change of use from the permitted nursing home to a drug rehabilitation centre required further planning permission.

Having considered the relevant legislation and regulations, the Council was of the opinion that the change of use described was an exempted development and Narconon were so informed.
The Council can only give an opinion based on its interpretation of relevant legislation.

An Bord Pleanála is the final arbiter of whether or not planning permission is needed.
As the Planning Authority the Council’s only consideration is whether or not the site is planning compliant. To date there is no evidence to suggest that it is not.

All other matters relating to this issue are outside of our remit.