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.

This hospital must only be built for the convenience of sick children and their parents, and not for the convenience of consultants or political expediency. However, there is a silver lining to this project, caused by the delays.

The construction costs to build the hospital will be about 30% less now than originally intended and it may be advantageous to build the hospital on a open site with the savings.

John Merren

Tymon Farm

Balrothery,

Dublin 24