Wexford nursing home must apply for planning permission to repair bridge blocking access to front entrance
Wexford PeopleA senior official at Wexford County Council (WCC) has stated that it is up to a private nursing home to repair or replace a closed bridge restricting access to the premises.
The bridge in question is located outside SignaCare in Bunclody and has been closed for seven years due to structural issues. As a result, those visiting the nursing home must access the premises either via a delivery entrance or a side door located down a narrow lane way.
Described by local councillor Barbara Anne Murphy as a “human rights issue”, the lack of access to the nursing home is preventing many of its residents from safely leaving the building with family or friends. Last month, relatives of those residing at the nursing home spoke of how deceased residents were being removed via a service entrance and placed in a hearse outside a local restaurant.
SignaCare did apply for planning permission to repair the bridge in 2023, an application which was granted by Carlow County Council (CCC). However, a third party appealed that decision and, following a review by An Coimisúin Pleanála (ACP), permission to repair the bridge was denied on the grounds that any works could potentially interfere with a special area of conservation.
At the September meeting of the Enniscorthy Municipal District (EMD), Cllr Murphy asked whether WCC could intervene to ensure the bridge outside the property was reopened.
“The two county councils (Wexford and Carlow) were supposed to see how they could encourage the private owner of the bridge to get it repaired or replaced,” she said. “But there has been no visible progress on this. What is WCC going to do about it?”
Parts of the bridge are located in Co Carlow, with others in Co Wexford, necessitating the involvement of the two local authorities,
“It was closed by Carlow County Council because, I believe, the part that’s in Carlow is unsafe,” continued Cllr Murphy. “This remains a human right’s issue and it’s not going to resolve itself.”
However, director of services Carolyne Godkin said there was nothing WCC could do at this moment in time.
“The responsibility to make the planning application (to repair or replace the bridge) rests with the property owner (SignaCare)” she said. “They have the information and they need to make an application directly to ACP. That’s the process, we can’t do anything to encourage them to move faster.”