Planning application received: change of Use from existing 1439sqm secondary school facility to commercial offices and a childcare

A planning application has been lodged with Westmeath County Council for a change of use at the former Mercy Secondary School on Dublin Road in Killbeggan, County Westmeath. The applicant, MSR Childcare Services, seeks to convert the 1,439‑square‑metre school building into a mixed‑use development comprising commercial office space and a childcare facility.

The application, reference 2660291, was received on 2 June 2026 and is currently in the pre‑validation stage. The council has set a decision date of 27 July 2026. The proposal would see the existing educational premises repurposed, with the new use retaining the building’s footprint but altering its internal layout to accommodate office units and a dedicated childcare area.

MSR Childcare Services has indicated that the conversion will preserve the historic façade of the former school while providing modern office amenities and a child‑care environment that meets current regulatory standards. The change of use is intended to support local employment and offer a new service to the Killbeggan community.

The council will assess the application against planning policies, including considerations of building safety, accessibility, and the impact on the surrounding area. As the application is still in pre‑validation, no final decision has yet been made, and the proposal remains subject to council scrutiny and potential conditions.

The development would represent a significant shift in the use of a key community asset, moving from an educational facility to a commercial and childcare hub. Residents and stakeholders will be able to follow the progress of the application through the Westmeath County Council planning portal.

For more details, see the Westmeath County Council planning portal (reference 2660291).

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