New hospital on hold

THE development of a €40 million private hospital in Ennis has been put on hold as an appeal has been lodged against the development to An Bord Pleanála.

Developers Pat Bonner and John Stack were given the go-ahead to develop the 100-bed hospital after a site on the Shanaway Road was rezoned by Clare County Council last month.
During the planning process, the developers agreed to reduce the overall proposal, with a reduction in the building footprint, floor area, height and massing. They had originally proposed 120 in-patient beds with another 20 day-patient beds. However, the revised plans sought permission for 73 in-patient beds, seven gynae/cardiology beds and 20 day-surgery beds.
Matt and Bernadette Power and Paul and Geraldine Donnelly have now lodged appeals with An Bord Pleanála.
Acting for Matt and Bernadette Power, architect Lourdes O’Donohue stated, “The proposed use and consequent hospital design is not sensitive to the existing context and in no way will it enhance or improve the area.”
The appeal claims the development is not well connected, due to a lack of a public transport system and states the wheelchair-accessible ramp is “a ridiculous length”.
Meanwhile, acting for Paul and Geraldine Donnelly in the appeal is architect firm, P Coleman and Associates. In their appeal, they claim the proposed development is “visually obtrusive in the extreme”.
The appeal goes on to state the proposed hospital “does not create a sense of place for patients, visitors or the local residents. Its scale is oppressive”.
Concerns were also raised about noise levels during construction, overlooking of neighbouring dwellings and security of car parking, among others.
“The building and landscape design has not been thought through sufficiently,” the appeal states.
The appellants state they support the aims of the development plan but they question the development of a large-scale development in the area.
A decision on the appeal is due next year.