Planning sought for 105-bed nursing home in Mitchelstown

A planning pre-application has been lodged for the development of a 105-bed nursing home in Mitchelstown, alongside the building of 48 two-bedroom houses.

The development is being sought for the area of Cloonlough at the outskirts of Mitchelstown on the Fermoy side of the town.

The site is the same as one that was denied planning permission in 2010 by Cork County Council. The planning at that time was for a 78-room nursing home and 16 residential care dwelling houses.

This time around, the application is for a nursing home to cater for 105 residents with single bedrooms. The planning for the nursing home also includes details for day rooms, dining areas, kitchen and ancillary services, along with a private courtyard.

Car parking for visitors and staff is included in the application, and the proposed nursing home would be entered via an entrance on the R639 Ring Road.

Alongside plans for the nursing home, permission is also sought for eight two-bedroom apartments for staff that includes parking and a private outdoor area.

In 2010, permission was denied for a nursing home development as the area was in a Greenbelt and unzoned. The refusal made particular reference to the “existing supply of undeveloped zoned and services land within the boundaries of Mitchelstown”. It also cited that the proposed development would be “visually obtrusive”. The decision was initially appealed with An Bord Pleanála, but the appeal was later withdrawn.

The current planning application has no further details available yet. The applicant is not the same as that that was applied for in 2010.

The construction of the nursing home, the staff accommodation, and the 48 two-bedroom houses would require a connection to the main foul sewer network and the public main water network. As is well-documented, the wastewater treatment plant in Mitchelstown is at capacity. However, Irish Water say that an interim solution to resolve the issues is due in late January 2022.

According to the 2016 national census, almost 17% of the population of Mitchelstown was over 65 at that time.