Kildare mansion may need planning for bedrooms to accommodate international protection applicants
Published 20th Dec 2025, 19:33 GMT
Bert House near Athy may have to seek planning permission to accommodate people seeking international protection on its ground floor.
The decision is now in the hands of An Comisúin Pleanála, which is due to give it's verdict by April 23.
Damien Malone had asked Kildare County Council whether the change of use (no material alterations) of the lower ground floor of Bert House (a protected structure) to bedrooms to accommodate people seeking international protection, is or is not development and is or is not exempted development.
On November 12, the council deemed it was not exempt. Mr Malone has now referred the matter to An Comisúin Pleanála.