Planning Application imminent for Millrace
CONCERNED members of the local community in Bunclody received confirmation last week that plans are afoot to turn the Millrace Hotel into a state of the art nursing home. Prudent Healthcare Ltd, a Kildare based company, have published their intention to seek planning permission from Wexford County Council to change the use of the ‘former’ Millrace Hotel to a nursing home.
The move would see the 60 bedroom hotel transformed into a 59 bedroom nursing home with various internal alterations including the construction of four story extension, incorporating a lift and sluice rooms and the provision of a private garden space for residents.
In recent weeks, there was a huge turnout at a public meeting on the hotel at The Rivers Edge, with people vowing to do everything they could to oppose the hotel being changed. It was widely acknowledged that the loss of the hotel would be a huge blow to Bunclody from a tourism point of view, a sector which the town had made great strides in recently following the setting up of a local Tourist Office.
A member of the committee formed on the night, Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy said that the ball will now begin rolling as people get their objections ready to go.
‘ The application has not been lodged yet,’ she said. ‘It is due to be lodged this week though. Our committee will go forward from here and begin preparing objections. We’ll know better the time frame we’re dealing with when the actual application is lodged. I’m sure if Wexford County Council grant permission for the change of use it will be appealed. I would expect that if it’s rejected, Prudent will appeal also. So ultimately, it will probably be decided by An Bord Pleanála. Up to now we’ve been dealing with rumours, but now at least it’s there in black and white for all to see.’
Cllr Murphy said it is unclear whether Prudent Healthcare have purchased the hotel pending planning permission or outright, but she has said that the committee will seek to have a meeting with them to establish this and point out that the town would welcome a nursing home, just not at the cost of its hotel. She says that the loss of the hotel will have a major financial impact.
Meanwhile, they have also spoken to TDs Paul Kehoe, James Browne, Michael D’Arcy and Brendan Howlin and Cllr Murphy says all have pledged their support, as have Deputy Pat Deering and Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor from across the border in Carlow.