Green light for new Killaloe health centre

Plans for a new regional primary healthcare centre in Killaloe employing more than 50 people have been approved by Clare County Council, despite opposition from some local businesses and residents.

John Deegan, C/O Garwin Farren, Annacotty, Limerick, has been given the green light to build a major new health centre covering 2,775 square metres over two levels accommodating a shared reception and a number of healthcare and community tenants with associated accommodation, substation, parking, signage and site works.
The development, situated at Shantraud, Killaloe, also consists of 12 semi-detached dwellings providing sheltered housing for the elderly with associated parking and site works.
A council planning report noted the development had prompted ten submissions including four from existing pharmacies in Killaloe and Ballina, one of which was a five-minute walk from the site within the Convent Hill Shopping Centre.
Landowner Peter Egan, who lodged one of the submissions, expressed concern that the proposed development could have a negative impact on his lands, which are on the adjacent site.
It was pointed out in the submissions that the subject site was located outside of the zoned retail commercial area of the development plan and concerns were raised that the development was not in accordance with the land use zoning at this location.
It was stated that the proposal was premature pending the upgrading of the drainage system and that it had the potential to undermine the viability of the existing town centre and in particular existing pharmacies.
The submissions claimed the proposed sheltered housing units for the elderly would have a negative impact on the viability and sense of community of the existing Lakes Nursing Home and 36 retirement homes across the Hill Road.
However, other submissions argued the health centre had the potential to provide a valuable service and was consistent with the Health Service Executive’s primary care strategy and would be a boost to the surrounding area.
It was stated that existing pharmacies in the area would be willing to work with the operators of the centre and the GPs to provide all drug dispensing services.
It was also pointed out that the operators and owners of the Lakes Nursing Home would be happy to work with the operators of the centre.
The planning report stated that while, ideally, a health centre should be situated within a town centre, account had to be taken of the historic nature of Killaloe town centre and its status as an Architectural Conservation Area.
“Due to the nature and form of the existing town centre, the provision of the development could not be provided without damage to the historic core of the town.
“Regard had to be taken of the narrow street network within the town centre and the lack of public parking areas. The subject site is located about 350 metres from the proposed route of the Killaloe bypass and I consider it appropriate that this development be located beside a planned infrastructure corridor,” the report added.
The council attached 26 planning conditions to the permission including a request for a contribution of €83,468 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities and a special development contribution of €30,000.
Mr Deegan hopes to be able to provide patients easy access as close to their home as possible to a broad spectrum of care services.
The site, located within the settlement boundary of Killaloe town, is within a four-minute walk of the town centre but outside the Architectural Conservation Area.
The site can be accessed from the north by the Hill Road and from the south by Convent Hill Road. It is intended the centre will serve a large catchment area extending into East Clare, North Tipperary and North Limerick.