Silver lining to flawed children’s hospital plan

I agree with An Bord Pleanála’s refusal of permission for the new national children’s hospital. I am concerned with the overall proposed design of the building apart from the proposed location.

The new hospital structure — as the artist’s impression shows — seems to be mix of two buildings. The top section is shaped like a weird Titanic ship-like glazed structure, which is on top of the lower section, which is constructed in a more orthodox office block-style construction. The restricted site has determined why the building has to be so high — 88m in order to accommodate all the necessary elements. It is obvious to the man in the street that this structure is too big to be located in a such a congested site.

At the best of times, the Mater Hospital is a difficult place to access.