Planning Application Seeks To Transform Wicklow Pub Into IPAS Accommodation

A planning application to convert a Wicklow pub into an International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre has sparked local debate. Located in Carnew, ‘The Lodge’ pub was previously put on the market back in 2021 with a price tag of €450,000 after it ceased trading back in 2020.

The proposal submitted by Quest Retirement Solutions Ltd seeks permission for a significant change of use, including alterations to both the ground and upper floors of the premises.

According to the application, the ground floor of the former public house would be repurposed to include a kitchen, dining area, communal living space, sanitary facilities, storage rooms, and bicycle parking facilities.

In addition, the proposal includes retention permission for the upper floors, which previously housed function and meeting rooms, to be converted into residential accommodation for individuals seeking international protection under the IPAS scheme.

The planned accommodation comprises 11 bedroom spaces, each with en-suite sanitary facilities, along with ancillary storage rooms and other necessary infrastructure.

However, opposition to the plan has also emerged, with concerns ranging from the suitability of the location to potential impacts on local services and infrastructure. Some community members have raised fears about how the change might affect Carnew’s town centre and its existing businesses.

Others have pointed to a perceived lack of consultation with the local population and called for greater transparency regarding the project’s long-term impact.

With Wicklow County Council expected to review the application in the coming weeks, the debate over the future of ‘The Lodge’ is set to continue.