Major hospital deal to boost local economy

A SOUTHSIDE hospital and a pharmaceutical giant have announced a joint proposal that would allow the company to expand its operations, while providing the hospital with a significant portion of the funding it needs to redevelop its current facility.

The plans would involve the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) disposing of a portion of its lands in Dun Laoghaire, which in turn would allow pharmaceutical company Amgen to expand its existing operations site on Pottery Road.

The disposal of the land would also provide the NRH with a significant portion of the funding it requires to facilitate its current plans for expansion.

The proposals would require the rezoning of about 40 acres of land owned by the NRH off Pottery Road and Rochestown Avenue.

Amgen already employs around 300 full time staff on a 24.5 acre site at its plant just off Pottery Road.

A report on the variation proposal prepared by the council will be presented to councillors at the monthly meeting of the local authority this week (Monday, November 12).

The report notes that the proposals would enable both parties to achieve their respective objectives over time while also enabling

“potential future collaboration and the development of a focused healthcare/ life sciences hub within the area

?.
The variation proposal would require the rezoning of four separate plots of land. Three of the plots are currently zoned for residential purposes.

One of the plots zoned for residential purposes would be rezoned to objective MH

“to improve, encourage and facilitate the provision and expansion of medical-hospital uses and services

?.

The other two plots that are currently zoned residential would be rezoned to objective E –

“to provide for economic development and employment

?.

A fourth plot, which is currently zoned as

“open space

? would also be rezoned objective E

“to provide for economic development and employment

?.

The proposed variation would also involve an amendment to the County Development Plan, which would provide for a

“publicly accessible

? open space,

“consistent with the specialist rehabilitation services provided through the hospital

?.

Cllr Victor Boyhan (Ind), who lives on Pottery Road, said the proposed variation would involve a considerable reduction in the amount of land on the site that is currently zoned as

“open space

?.

He has called for some of the land at the site to be set aside for

“community gain

?.

“In the context of this agreement I want to see some bit of land set aside for open space,

? he said.

“This could be a joint initiative. Given that Amgen is purchasing this land, some of it should be set aside for community gain.

?

A spokesperson for the NRH said the hospital redevelopment would be completed on a phased basis. It is hoped to eventually provide for an additional 115 bed spaces at a later date when funding becomes available.

“The benefit to the community would be economic,

? the spokesperson said.

“During the construction phase of the project we would be looking at about 200 construction jobs on a temporary basis. That is likely to generate additional income in the area.

“Ideally we are looking to eventually redevelop the whole hospital, and you would be looking at more jobs in the healthcare side of things and extra jobs in catering and ancillary services.

?

The redevelopment of the hospital would be funded by the NRH Foundation and from the sale of the surplus lands while the remainder will come from the HSE.

A spokesperson for Amgen said:

“From a community perspective, the collaboration between both the hospital and Amgen has already delivered improved infrastructure for Pottery Road with a planned road upgrade due to commence in 2013.

?

Southside People contacted Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council but it said it would not like to comment on the matter in advance of the council meeting.