Call to change to planning and development of International Protection centres in Meath
Meath councillors have backed a motion calling for changes to how International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres are approved and developed.
The motion, brought forward at the September meeting of Meath County Council by Trim councillor Noel French, calls on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to remove the Section 5 provision currently used for IPAS centres and instead require all such facilities to go through the full planning process.
“This motion means that the Ipas centres will have to apply for planning permission and open up a decision to people and councillors to have their say,” Cllr French said.
Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act provides a mechanism for individuals to seek clarification on whether a development is exempt from planning permission. Cllr French argued this route is undermining community involvement and transparency.
“The current process removes any public consultation with communities and shuts out local public representatives. This system undermines the planning process, the reputation of public representatives, the reputation of planning in councils and the values of fairness and equality.”
“Local towns and villages are left for weeks frustrated and uncertain as to what is happening in their community. These types of applications are causing a lot of anger, frustration, worry and concerns, much of which is understandable. In most cases applicants who are turned down just walk away after upsetting whole communities.”
“This goes completely against proper planning rules and further erodes public confidence in the planning process. If the building of homes, business premises or any other community facility must run the gauntlet of planning processes, then so should Ipas centres. It is unacceptable that anyone can seek to repurpose properties without proper oversight and accountability.”
Earlier this year, two proposed IPAS centres in Meath were rejected by the council.
“The buildings proposed for Ipas centres in Trim were not suitable for human habitation. Industrial complexes and other buildings are being converted to house migrants without any input from the local population. When people from different cultural, ethnic, or national backgrounds are isolated in unsuitable centres, it can foster division rather than unity,” Cllr French told members.
Calling for transparency, Cllr French added: “The Government needs to address the issue of planning in relation to IPAS centres and migration. There is a pressing need to prioritize transparency, proper oversight, and community consultation in planning decisions, especially those that could significantly impact local community, local infrastructure and public trust.”
The motion passed unanimously. Ashbourne councillor Sean Drew supported the motion, saying: “These exemptions are overriding our roles are councillors. It is wrong that we have no influence over these guidelines.”
However, Navan councillor Alan Lawes cautioned against language, saying: “We need to be careful with the language use so that we don’t feed into the far right notions.”