THE HSE has lodged planning application for the long awaited Corduff Primary Care Centre possibly bringing to an end a saga that dates back three decades.
A health centre for the area was first promised over 30 years ago and locals were optimistic that it would be finally built when the HSE actively sought accommodation for use as a primary care centre in June 2008.
However, the project has suffered numerous setbacks over the years but it’s hoped the latest move by the HSE will mean work on centre can at last get underway by the end of the year if it passes smoothly through the planning process.
The news was welcomed by local TD and Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar (FG).
“This is very welcome news and brings the centre one step closer,
? he said.
“Although we have had to wait many years to even get to this stage, the fact that the HSE has now formally lodged a planning application is a significant development. But we do need to see concrete results.
?
The HSE’s planning permission asks for a 2,300 sq mt building, with two and three storey sections. It will house a primary care team, a child and adolescent mental health team, an early intervention team, a dental surgery and a GP surgery.
The application provides for a new entrance and access road from Blackcourt Road, along with pedestrian access from Corduff Avenue, Corduff Gardens, Corduff Way, and Corduff Shopping Centre. It also seeks to provide 61 car park spaces and enough storage for 20 bicycles.
Corduff already has a primary care team in place but it has been working from Hartstown for several years.
The HSE application is open for submissions or observations until May 22.