Short term accommodation plan for Johnstown site

The site of a derelict filling station on the Kentstown Road in Navan is being earmarked by Meath County Council for a short term accommodation facility if the local authority is successful in its bid to compulsorily acquire the property.

An Coimisiún Pleanála is currently considering an application by Meath County Council to compulsorily acquire the filling station on the Kentstown Road/Metges Road junction which has been on the Derelict Sites Register in the County since March of this year. However, an objection has been lodged by the owner of the property Edward Cunningham, Athlumney, Navan, on a number of grounds.

As part of documentation submitted by Meath County Council to an Coimisiún Pleanála, the local authority outlines that its intention is that the site would be developed as an accommodation facility for the homeless with up to 32 bedrooms.

It states: "The intention would be to construct a purpose-built STA, refer to Appendix H, which would consist of up to 32 bedrooms and associated cooking, laundry, and support facilities to provide supported short and/or longer-term accommodation to single persons in advance of transitioning to a more permanent housing solution.

"The Local Authority would manage the planning, procurement, and construction of the project up to the point of occupation of the units. The Local Authority would procure a specialist serviced provider experienced in this area for the day-to-day operation and management of the accommodation and services."

Appendix H is a draft site plan proposal which shows two blocks and a shared recreation space, as well as car parking, landscaping and secure open space.

A Meath County Council spokesperson said: “The intention is that it would be used as short-term or long-term accommodation for homeless people while they transition to a more permanent solution. This will not house international protection applicants.”

It will be up to an Coimisiún Pleanála to decide on the council's application to compulsorily acquire the site under the Derelict Sites Act. The owner has objected to the Council's acquisition of the property on a number of grounds. Among the points made was that the property does not meet the statutory definition of derelict as set out in the act, that the council failed to follow procedure under Section 8 of the act by entering the site on the Derelict Sites register without addressing reasonable offers of remediation and that an open-market sale is already underway at a value significantly higher than compensation under compulsory acquisition.

The property is listed on property website Daft.ie with a guide price of €950,000. The listing outlines that the former petrol station sits on just over one acre of zoned residential land and comprises of approximately 4,000 sq ft commercial property that was previously in use as a convenience store with petrol pumps and workshop. It also notes that the site previously had a grant of planning for additional residential units to the rear.