A NORTHSIDE community has united in its opposition to a primary care centre planned for Edenmore.
Dublin City Council controversially approved plans for the three-storey development for Tonlegee Road, despite a petition signed by 700 people and numerous objections from local residents and politicians.
A packed public meeting was held last week to discuss the fallout from the council’s decision during which residents vowed to fight the decision tooth and nail and appeal it to An Bord Pleanala.
Plans for the primary care medical centre include accommodation for HSE primary care teams and a GP surgery, pharmacy, convenience store and retail unit, as well as a 26-space car park.
While other communities are crying out for primary care centres, residents of the quiet residential area of Tonlegee Road are adamant that it isn’t appropriate for their area.
The local community has rejected the plan in the belief that it would lead to increased traffic and parking problems along the already busy Tonlegee Road and Woodbine Road and claim it would be incompatible and damaging to the neighbourhood.
Objections also stated that the development would have a significant negative impact on the already struggling Edenmore Shopping Centre located less than 400 metres away.
It is feared that the shopping centre, which already has a number of vacant units, could suffer further if the HSE relocates to the new development.
Fiona Downey, secretary of Grange-Woodbine Residents’ Association, described the plan as
“ludicrous
? and said it would be totally out of character with the area.
“This tiny site will be filled with a high density development and would lead to a huge increase in traffic in what is a quiet residential area,
? she told Northside People.
“It’s a crazy plan that makes no sense whatsoever. The centre will be located next to elderly accommodation and I understand that the retail unit will be open until 10pm.
“The older residents in the area were absolutely aghast to learn of what was being proposed. We believe there are insufficient car parking spaces planned which will inevitably lead to more on-street parking.
“Don’t get me wrong, I think the concept of primary care centres is fantastic because they will take the pressure off hospitals. But I believe that this particular site for this development is utterly ridiculous.
?
Ms Downey added:
“This is a quiet residential area and 200 metres up the road there are already empty units which could be utilised and developed to give Edenmore Shopping Centre a much needed boost.
?
Another resident who objected to the application felt that the development of a primary care centre would be
“redundant
?.
“There are already two pharmacies within 400 metres of this proposed development, so the provision of two further pharmacies would be a case of over-supply for this area,
? the resident stated.
“There is already one GP practice within 400 metres of this development.
?
Dublin Bay North TDs Terence Flanagan (FG) and Deputy Sean Kenny (Lab), along with local councillors Micheal Mac Donncha (SF), Tom Brabazon (FF), Brian McDowell (Lab) and Pat Crimmins (FG), were among the public representatives who made objections and observations on the plan.
Dublin City Council approved the plan late last month subject to more than 20 conditions.