Ability West, a charity dedicated to helping people with intellectual disabilities, is seeking approval for a new community home in Portumna.
The voluntary organisation, which already works at 13 locations across Galway city and county, has submitted a planning application for a new, single storey group home on Church road in Portumna.
The proposed development would be located beside an existing Ability West facility, St. Dympna’s Adult Day Service.
If allowed to go ahead, the new residential unit would serve as a group home for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Ability West says the location of the new development would be ideal for easy access between the day car facility and the group home.
The proximity would also make it easier for the group to staff this facility.
On top of those conveniences, it’s important for the people who might reside at this group home that it’s close to the amenities of the town.
This promotes inclusion in the community and helps the residents live as independently as possible.
The gross floor space of the proposed residential centre is 336m².
At a pre-planning meeting with the county council in September it was found that there was no objection to the project in principle.
Ability West has been providing services and support for people with an intellectual disability since 1962.
Galway County Council is due to give a decision on whether to allow the development to go ahead by December 12.
