ABC planners give green light to Donaghcloney daycare facility plans to cater for up almost 100 children
A daycare and crèche facility in Donaghcloney has been granted planning permission to enable it to care for significantly more children.
The green light by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Planning officers means that Monree Lodge will be able to cater for up to 98 children – as opposed to just 25 up until now.
It is a significant development for the former nursing home which was re-purposed as a daycare facility only nine months ago, back in March this year.
The planning application was lodged by Andrew Nesbitt Architects, Belfast, on behalf of Beulah Keane, who resides at the same postal address.
There have been mixed reactions from nearby residents to the planning variation for the premises, with some being concerned about potential noise resulting from so many children being cared for at the facility, while other residents with young children welcome the convenience of having a daycare and crèche close by to where they live.
Planning officers explained in their report that additional measures were required to cope with the increase in the number of children: “A Supporting Play Strategy has been submitted with the application dated October 2025.
“Information submitted with the application confirms that the proposal will require 21 staff (full-time and equivalent) to operate the facility with 98 children capacity.
“It also confirms that a maximum of 20 children will be in outside play areas at any given time, and that measures will be in place to ensure that these numbers are not exceeded (CCTV cameras and daily registers for the outdoor play areas).”
Back in March, Planning officers welcomed the redevelopment plans which were to give a new lease of life to the former nursing home, stating: “The site comprises of a vacant property known as Monree Lodge which is sited adjacent to Donaghcloney House, a listed building.
“It is a two-storey, red-brick building which was last used as a nursing home.
"Officers note that there is no stand-alone daycare/crèche facility within Donaghcloney to cater for its residents, and that there is a need for such a use in the village. The proposal will also bring a vacant building back into use,” planners said.