Appeal lodged by developer against financial contribution on convent site
By Aideen O'Flaherty
VALLEY Healthcare has lodged an appeal against the financial contribution that has been stipulated by South Dublin County Council, for the development of two primary care centre buildings on the former convent grounds in Clondalkin Village.
The development, which originally included plans for a 155-bed nursing home, has been a point of contention in the locality.
The convent entrance in Clondalkin village
Plans by Bartra Property Ltd for the development of a nursing home, on land at the convent grounds, were upheld in November 2019 by An Bord Pleanála, despite significant opposition from residents, community groups and local politicians.
The Save Clondalkin Convent Campaign group battled what they saw as the loss of a vital public site and playing pitches for local schools.
The Valley Healthcare Fund lodged a planning application concerning the development in February 2020, seeking permission for the nursing home portion of the plans, called Block B, to instead house a primary care centre.
Provision of internal reconfiguration of Block B to provide ten consultation rooms, 37 offices, seven clinic rooms, four administration/reception, and four large group rooms in the proposed primary care centre was included in the application.
South Dublin County Council granted permission for the alterations to the development in December, however one of the conditions of the grant of permission included a financial contribution of €379,792.95.
Valley Healthcare lodged an appeal against the rate of the financial contribution last month, stating that the Block B primary care centre will be leased by the HSE, which is a registered charitable organisation.
The appellant stated that the Block B aspect of the development should be considered exempt from the financial contribution requirement, as it will be a public health facility which will house non-profit social services that will be delivered by a registered charity.
A decision on the appeal has not yet been made by An Bord Pleanála.
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