Decision on EROC expansion due today
The former Abbeyfield Hotel in Ballaghaderreen, which is now an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre for Syrian refugees.
A decision is expected today on the proposed expansion to the Ballaghaderreen Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC).
Roscommon County Council had sought eleven points of further information from the developers of the proposed expansion to the centre, and the owner of the Abbeyfield Hotel, Next Week & Co Ltd, has responded.
“There are currently 192 existing residents at the existing facility. These include 101 adults and 91 children,” the company said in response to one question. “The maximum number of people that will be accommodated at the centre as a result of the development is 310. These figures are based on the 4.65sqm minimum requirement for each person.”
A decision on the application, which was submitted on December 23rd 2024, was due February 25th, before the local authority sought further information from Next Week & Co Ltd. A decision is now expected on the development by today, December 17th.
A number of submissions opposing the development have already been received by the council.
Next Week & Co Ltd is seeking planning permission for the construction of a two storey extension to the Abbeyfeld Hotel EROC to provide additional accommodation, with a single storey corridor link to the existing EROC. The application is also seeking an astro turf pitch and a play area at the site.
According to the planning documents, the new accommodation would consist of 18 bedrooms and a general purpose room. The EROC has been in operation since 2017.
