'No intention to establish' refugee centre at landmark Longford town building

Longford County Council has confirmed that the former Providers Building in Longford town is NOT set to become a temporary accommodation centre for refugees.

The former Providers Building, which is in the ownership of Longford County Council since 2017, is currently listed for sale by private treaty and has been the subject of various proposals, including an innovation hub and a county museum.

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On April 30, Meadow Connect Ltd applied to Longford County Council to enquire if the ‘proposed temporary use of no. 25 Main Street, Townparks, Longford N39 Z4H6 on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for accommodation for displaced persons or persons seeking international protection is or is not an exempted development’.

The local authority considered the submission and confirmed on May 13 that the proposal is ‘exempt’ from planning permission.

Notification of the exemption is published on the ‘Section 5 Register’ on the Longford County Council website.

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A spokesperson for the local authority said, "Longford County Council would like to confirm that there is no intention to establish a refugee accommodation / IPAS centre in Longford Town at 25 Main Street" in the building previously listed as Providers building.

"A third party, Meadow Connect Ltd made an inquiry to Longford County Council as to whether the building at 25 Main Street had exempted status (section 5) that would enable it to be used to house International Protection Applicants.

"The council confirmed that it would be an exempted development as it is required to do."