Local primary health care centre facing objections

LOCAL residents in have begun a campaign to have the proposed Primary Health Care Centre in Finglas south moved from the area to a more central location.

The residents, who recently formed the Mellowes Area Action Group (MAAG), say they’re fully behind the centre but want it located on a

“central, fit-for-purpose

? site.

Last year the HSE agreed a

?¬180,000 deal with Dublin City Council for the centre to be built on land bordered by Mellowes Road, Mellowes Avenue and Kildonan Road.

At a meeting in June 2013 local councillors rejected the plan by a vote of 3-2 and instead backed a motion supporting a primary care centre for the area and pledging to work with the HSE to find

“the best possible site

?.

However, the HSE stated it had extensively reviewed a number of sites in Finglas and the Mellowes land was their preferred choice. Councillors were also warned that the vote would inevitably delay the project.

There were also fears that delays could jeopardise funding earmarked for the centre and the plan was put forward again the following month and passed by a vote of 4-1.

The reversal angered local residents who had argued against locating it on the proposed site as well as campaigners who were calling for the centre to be built in Finglas Village to help with the regeneration of the area.

Since then management at the Finglas Village Centre has submitted a proposal to the HSE recommending the existing building at Raven House as a site for a Primary Care Centre in Finglas.

“There are plans already being drawn up to make Raven House a

‘green’ building which essentially means enhancing the structure internally and externally to ensure that it offers the most comfortable occupancy surroundings possible,

? a spokesperson said.

However, the HSE remains committed to the Mellowes site and says that while it is aware of concerns from some local residents it also has strong support for the development from others.

A planning application for the centre is expected to be lodged over the coming weeks but the MAAG is planning to fight the proposal all the way.

“We’ve started off as a local group but we’re planning on spreading the campaign to the rest of the Finglas area and get the support of other groups,

? said group chairman, Thomas Devlin.

“We’re totally in favour of a Primary Care Centre for Finglas but we believe this is the wrong site for it.

?

The MAAG say the Mellowes site has been used a play area for the local children for over 35 years and the centre would cause increased traffic congestion in the area.

They believe it could also put children going to school at rick of being involved in a traffic accident and cause parking problems in the area.

The action group also feel there could be safety issues in relation to the access of emergency services to a local electricity substation and say the centre’s proposed location may lead to privacy issues due to its close proximity to private housing in the area.

“We’ll be looking for support from local TDs who will be facing election in two years time,

? Mr Devlin told Northside People.

“We’ll oppose it at planning and go to An Bord Pleanala if needs be. We’re in this for the long haul.

“We want a Primary Care Centre for Finglas and we will get one, we’re entitled to it, but they can’t just plonk it where they want and say

‘well it’s there or nowhere’.

?

The HSE says it has been engaging with members of the Finglas community to answer any questions in advance of making its planning application.

“The HSE did an extensive evaluation of multiple sites and the development site off Mellowes Road was selected as the most suitable location to deliver the Primary Care Centre for the Finglas South area, Finglas West area and the new communities in the areas recently developed in Finglas North,

? a spokesperson said.

“It has very good accessibility; it is well served by bus routes; it is a generous greenfield site with appropriate zoning and would have no impact on current health services during the construction period.

“The HSE is aware of some concerns from some of the local residents. The HSE is also aware of strong support for the development. Over the last two years the HSE have met with Dublin City Council officials along with local representatives and local residents’ groups regarding this very positive development for Finglas on a number of occasions.

?

The proposed centre will be 2,700 sq mts in size from where three Primary Care Teams will deliver a range of services including speech and Language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Accommodation for 10 GP clinics and social work professionals will also be included in the facility and it will house an adult mental health out-patient service.