Ard Aoibhinn given go-ahead to move into old library

ARD Aoibhinn has been granted planning permission by Wexford County Council to turn the former library building in Redmond Square car park into a new facility for people with special needs and intellectual disabilities.

The premises has been lying empty since the local authority opened a new library in Mallin Street in 2012 and is now set to have a new lease of life.

Ard Aoibhinn which has its headquarters in Belevedere Road, has been given approval to build a new accessible entrance amd install larger windows as well as carrying out alterations to the interior of the building.

Executive planning inspector Sonia Hunt said the proposed use is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Wexford County Council is the tenant of the building on a long-term lease that expires on October 22, 2027.

The owner Sam McCauley has agreed to the Council sub-letting the premises. Ard Aoibhinn had to submit proposals to the landlord for consideration before the planning application was made and the owner confirmed that there was no objection in principle to the development.

The Ard Aoibhinn charity is running out of space in Belevedere Road. The library building will enable it to provide support services for school-leavers with intellectual disabilities who have nowhere to go once they reach 18.

Ard Aoibhinn supports 170 families in Wexford through day-care, residential and homebased services from its main building in Belvedere Road and nine additional premises around the area. The age range of clients is from pre-school to elderly residents in their late 70’s.