THE only montessori in Quin is at risk of closing down due to a discrepancy in planning permission documents.
Páistí Beaga montessori was opened by local couple Patricia and John Hennessy in 2004. After 24 years in business and multiple expansions, the créche and montessori may have to close due to ongoing planning permission disputes.
The business started as a small créche from the ground floor of the Hennessy family home, located on Newline Road in Quin. The number of enrollments quickly grew and the business outgrew the space.
Currently, Páistí Beaga can cater for up to 70 children at a time. The business offers a pre-school service and after-school program.
In 2004 the couple received planning permission to build a bungalow next to their home to expand their business and cater for more children, under the condition that they move all childcare services to the new building and cease using the residential house as a place of business upon completion of the proposed project.
The purpose-built building was completed in 2005 and acts as the main location for the services of the Montessori.
Despite the conditions of the original planning permission, John and Patricia have continued to use the ground floor of their home to facilitate huge demand in Quin for the pre-school programme.
To keep up with the growth of the créche there have been multiple changes made to the property.
In order to continue providing childcare services throughout Covid restrictions, Patricia and John built a covered outdoor area for the children to have lessons and still be protected from poor weather. This was built with the aid of Government funded grants. They have also since built a steel tech shed to be used for storage or toys and play equipment.
John explained that due to a miscommunication, he believed that Páistí Beag did not need to receive planning permission to build the steel tech shed and outdoor structure.
In 2020 John and Patricia received a notice from Clare County Council for an unauthorised development due to the breach of conditions from the original planning permission in 2004, despite the fact that the couple moved out of the residential house in 2009. The notice was also issued due to the lack of planning permission for the two new structures.
The couple had been advised by Clare County Council that they are not permitted to continue using their family home as a childcare service as the building is classed as residential, not commercial. The Hennesseys submitted a new planning application in 2021 to attempt to retain the use of the ground floor of the house, the steeltech shed and the open shelter but then withdrew the application later that year. This application was resubmitted in 2022. The Hennessys were granted permission on the steel tech shed but refused permission on outdoor shelter and the use of the ground floor of the house. The couple made an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, but the organisation agreed with the decision of ClareCounty Council. They have submit- ted a second appeal and are currently under judicial review.
In 2022 they also submitted an application to the Clare County Development Programme (CCDP) 2023-29 in an effort to change the status of the house from residential to commercial. They say there has been no response by the CCDP, subsequently, the house remains a residential property.
Under the current circumstances, John and Patricia are required to cease any childcare activity within the residential property in order to retain the use of the purpose-built bungalow. However the Hennesys have said that if they had to stop using the residential property, they would have to shut down their af-ter-school programme. This cut in enrollments would mean that the couple would no longer be able to afford the expenses of the play school and Páistí Beaga would have to close its doors.
“If the council proceed we are going to have to shut down the business, that is just a reality.
“The staff ’s going to be affected and you have the parents who need childcare. You’re talking up to 100 people and the kids themselves who need this facility. In fact, we need a bigger facility in the community, not reducing the size of the one we have,” added John.
Clare County Council told The Clare Echo that they can’t comment on the case due to ongoing judicial proceedings and as the site is subject to a current planning application which is under consideration by the council.
