Hospital developers address fire safety concerns

THE developers behind plans for a €60 million private hospital in Ennis have responded to concerns raised about the proposal, including those expressed by the fire officer about evacuating the building.

 

Duesbury Limited have applied for planning permission for the development of a 97-bed hospital on the site of the former Our Lady’s Psychiatric Hospital. The planned development on the Gort Road would consist of the construction of a four-storey healthcare facility over a basement building linked to the existing 19th century protected structure.

A decision was due in August. However, Ennis Town Council requested further information on a number of issues. According to the request for further information, the planning authority have “no objection in principle” to the proposed reuse and development of the existing brownfield site incorporating the protected structure but they have a number of concerns.

Among the issues raised by the planning authority were concerns by the fire officer in relation to the means of escape from the building to a place of safety outside, stating that the travel distances were excessive.
In their response to the planning authority, the developers stated, “We are confident that we can achieve the appropriate travel distances within the building using both the final exits and escape using progressive horizontal evacuation. The internal layout may be subject to change and a formal fire safety certificate application will be lodged prior to construction.

“Furthermore, the fire escape strategy for the overall building cannot be fully determined at this stage, as it will depend on a number of factors, including some fire engineering solution and mechanical and electrical provisions, which again is too early to be fully considered.”

The provision of adequate access for fire appliances had also been raised by the fire officer. According to their response to further information, the developers have provided circulation of the entire external perimeter of the building to address this.

The planning authority had stated that in terms of the redevelopment, only the western half is being utilised. They raised concerns regarding the future use and maintenance of the remainder of the building.

The developers have outlined, “The western section of the building as stated will be utilised as shown. However, within the building contract period works will be carried out to the entire building, repairs to all roofs with natural slates, including replacement of any defective timbers, lead etc, with appropriate materials, including gutters and downpipes and repairing or replacing timber windows in similar style where necessary. Internally, any defective timbers will be removed, areas treated and the building will be left in a state that no further deterioration takes place.”

The developers go on to state, “At this time, although not specifically shown, the eastern section will in the future be utilised as hospital-related accommodation.”

A Natura Impact Statement compiled by Minogue and Associates and Doherty Environmental addressed concerns on the potential impact on Ballyalla Lake and the Lower River Shannon, special areas of conservation.

The statement concluded, “Based on the assessment of potential impacts, it is concluded that the proposal will not result in significant adverse effects to the conservation objectives of the listed European Sites…All activities associated with the proposal will not result in significant effects to these.”

Revised drawings have also been prepared to address issues raised in relation to traffic management. Other items, including the provision of reports on bats and badgers and a tree survey report, have also been submitted to the planning authority.

According to Duesbury Limited, the private firm behind the plans, if given the go-ahead, the proposed development would create up to 700 jobs, 100 in construction and 600 when operational.

The hospital would provide a full range of medical and related services, including 97 in-patient beds, 30 recovery cubicles, consultants suites, administration, office accommodation, pharmacy shop, catering facilities, crèche, energy centre, plant rooms and all ancillary accommodation.