Plans for medical centre close to University Hospital Limerick rejected by council
Proposed development, close to University Hospital Limerick, had attracted objections from local residents
A PLANNING application seeking permission to convert a residential house, partially used as a physiotherapy clinic, into a full scale medical centre has been refused by Limerick City and County Council.
The planning application also sought retention permission for the existing physiotherapy clinic which is currently being used as a medical centre.
Raheen Medical is currently operating from the existing physiotherapy clinic located at Acorn House, Graney Close, Sluggary and Dooradoyle, Raheen, after it had to relocate following the expiry of the lease on the former premises - next door to physiotherapy clinic.
In its application, Centric Health Primary Care, owners of Raheen Medical, sought permission to change the use of the building from part physiotherapy clinic and residential dwelling to overall medical centre use.
The plans proposed include seven consultation rooms, a reception area and waiting room, as well as a single storey extension to the rear and conversion of an existing shed.
A planning report states how the proposal was refused on the grounds of the proposed development constituting “a larger-scale group medical practice and would not be subordinate to the existing residential use of the dwelling”.
It adds: “Limerick Development Plan 2022–2028 provides that larger-scale and group medical practices should normally be located within local, district and major town/city centre zonings and should not give rise to adverse impacts in terms of car parking, traffic hazard or residential amenity.”
The report further states how “the Planning Authority cannot be satisfied that the proposed development would not endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard, obstruct the free flow of traffic or adversely affect residential amenity and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
A submission from local residents of Graney Close and Oakdale Drive, containing 20 signatures, registered “their strongest possible objection” to the development citing traffic hazards, public safety and material contravention of planning history as their primary reasons.
The submission describes Graney Close and Oakvale Drive as “quiet, strictly residential areas” and notes that Oakvale is a cul-de-sac that relies entirely on Graney Close for access.
“The proposed development introduces an unsustainable volume of traffic into a restricted residential bottleneck,” the submission continues.
The number of medical practices in the surrounding area is also noted in the submission, with the residents describing the proposed development at Acorn house as a “destructive commercial intrusion” that is “completely unnecessary”.
The submission further mentions “illegal overspill parking” which blocks residents driveways, dangerous traffic manoeuvres and the blocking of refuse trucks and emergency service vehicles from accessing Oakvale drive.
Limerick City West Councillor Daniel Butler described how medical professionals in the Raheen area have reached out to him about their need to expand practices. However, he says there is very limited office space for them to avail of. “The locations are not there,” he noted.
Parking is also an ongoing issue in the area, with University Hospital Limerick in such close proximity, it is understood that medical staff sometimes seek parking in the surrounding residential estates, which in turn causes parking congestion these areas.
Raheen Medical has been contacted for comment.