EROC planning application deemed 'invalid' by council

A planning application to expand the EROC centre in Ballaghaderreen has been deemed ‘incomplete’ by the council.

In the planning application, which was submitted to the council on December 19th, Next Week & Co Ltd is seeking planning permission for the construction of a two storey extension to the Abbeyfeld Hotel EROC centre to provide additional accommodation, with a single storey corridor link to the existing EROC Centre. The application is also seeking an Astro turf pitch and a play area at the site.

However, on Friday December 20th, the council said the application was invalid, citing an issue with the drawings submitted.

Concern and surprise has been raised about the application, with local Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane saying she has requested a meeting with the owners of the EROC following the publication of the planning notice.

Deputy Kerrane said she was surprised at the development, saying it has “come out of the blue”.

"I've spent the last almost two years engaging with them to re-open the swimming pool and in communication so, this extension request has come out of the blue,” she said.

The department of integration confirmed to the Herald was not involved in the planning application.

“This centre is operated through a private provider arrangement,” the spokesperson said. “This planning application doesn’t involve funding from this department and would be a matter for the provider and the relevant planning authority.”