LATEST: Tipperary IPAS centre expansion plans fail after appeal blocked

A plan to significantly enlarge the Racket Hall Hotel IPAS centre has been stopped again after the national planning authority rejected an appeal.

The facility, which houses people seeking international protection in Ireland, had been at the centre of a lengthy planning dispute. Operators had initially sought permission from Tipperary County Council to expand the site, aiming to increase its capacity. However, the local authority turned down that application, prompting the developer to appeal the decision.

Over recent months, the appeal progressed through the planning system, with hopes that the higher authority, An Bord Pleanála, might reverse the council’s refusal. Instead, the appeal has been dismissed, meaning the enlargement project cannot go ahead in its current form.

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This latest ruling upholds the council’s original decision, leaving the IPAS centre at its existing size for the foreseeable future. For those behind the development, it represents a fresh disappointment after months of effort to secure permission.

The refusal reflects ongoing challenges around planning decisions for asylum accommodation in rural communities, where such proposals often draw intense local debate and scrutiny. While supporters argue for the need to expand capacity in light of rising demand for accommodation, others have raised concerns about impacts on local services, infrastructure and town planning priorities.

With this appeal now closed, there’s no immediate likelihood of construction beginning on a larger facility unless the applicants pursue further legal or alternative planning avenues.