GPs’ bid to continue operating in medical centre encounters more hurdles

Proposals to continue using the Reeks Gateway building in Killarney as a medical centre are meeting with further planning delays.

The local town council is seeking additional information in relation to planning applications for the Killarney Primary Care Centre in the building, close to the Tralee Rd roundabout.

The development has, for the past two years, been the centre of a controversy between some GPs and some pharmacies in the town as well as other individuals.

The development companies behind the building have submitted four separate applications to Killarney Town Council.

Five submissions have been lodged in relation to the applications — four against and one in support.

The applications are for change of use following a ruling by An Bord Pleanála that the GPs based on the second floor should vacate as there was not appropriate planning. Three GP practices, operating without planning permission, had moved out in February and returned to their former surgeries in other parts of the Kerry town.

The centre has a long and controversial planning history. The council granted planning permission for the centre on Oct 27, 2011, but that decision was opposed by several Killarney pharmacists and others who appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

The planning appeals’ body subsequently refused permission for the retention of surgeries on the second floor but allowed permission for medical use of the first floor where other GPs are continuing to operate.

Under an enforcement order issued on Oct 10 last, the GPs were to vacate the second floor by Jan 11, but further time was required to facilitate a return to their former surgeries.

According to Sunday’s Well Properties, the company involved in the building, the current planning applications are significantly different to the original one.