Board under fire as private hospital gets green light

AN Bord Pleanála is under fire for giving the green light for a private hospital next to Cork University Hospital (CUH) against the advice of one of its own inspectors.

Residents who fought the Beacon Medical Group’s proposed €250 million co-located facility in Wilton said they felt vindicated by the inspector’s report.

“We avoided the politics of this issue and fought it purely on planning grounds,” said Eamonn Cashell, chairman of the Laburnum Wilton Residents Association.

“The fact that the board ignored their inspector’s recommendation suggests that we were up against politics.

“We won the argument on planning grounds, but we lost it on politics.”

But he warned: “The hospital isn’t built yet... a judicial review is available to us and we will be consulting with our experts.”

Fine Gael also criticised the decision and warned that the new hospital will chaos traffic chaos.

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin previously described the private hospital as unsustainable on the site.

The board said having regard to the existing use of the site, and subject to compliance with certain conditions, the proposed development would be generally in accordance with the current Cork City Development Plan and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.

In upholding a previous city council decision to grant permission, the planning appeals board said: “In deciding not to accept the inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the board considered that the revised road proposals adequately address the inspector’s concerns with regard to traffic safety and considered that the new hospital building, subject to a minor relocation of the building southwards and having regard to the distances involved both horizontally and vertically, would not have an unduly negative impact on the residential amenity of adjoining properties.”

The project includes the re-location westwards of the main access to the CUH campus, the closure of the existing access with the retention of a left slip road exit to the east, and the reinstatement of the upper deck of a car park planned for the west side of the campus. Some of the 19 conditions include:

* The hospital should not become operational until the Bishopstown Road Roundabout has been converted to a traffic signal controlled junction.

* A total of 223 new car parking spaces shall be provided – with a maximum of 50% for staff.

* A revised mobility management plan must be prepared within nine months.

* A comprehensive baseline survey of current travel patterns for all users of the hospital campus must be carried out within four months.

* The revised mobility management plan shall set a target to get more people out of their cars.

* More bicycle parking spaces and showers for staff must be provided.

Local Fine Gael senator Jerry Buttimer slated the board. “The board has shown scant regard for the residents of Wilton and wider area,” he said.

“This is a recipe for chronic traffic chaos and flies in the face of proper planning. How can we encourage people out of their cars when Bus Éireann is cutting back on bus services?”

Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney said this is the second example in Cork where the board has gone against the advice of its own inspectors and granted permission for a major infrastructure project – the other being Indaver’s proposed incinerator in Ringaskiddy.

“One has to question the role of An Bord Pleanála as a planning authority where they make a conscious decision to ignore their own inspector in an effort to force through flawed government policy,” he said.

However, BMG’s chief executive Michael Cullen said the new hospital will bring significant benefits to the local community, and once fully operational, will employ more than 511 staff. With additional indirect employment of approximately 787 people, the new hospital will make a significant positive contribution to the local economy, BMG said. Up to 500 people will be employed during the construction phase and will be bused to the site to minimise traffic congestion.

It is not clear when construction will start. BMG said it is confident of achieving funding once final contracts are signed off by the HSE and Department of Health and Children.