New primary care centre gets green light

Axis Health Care Assets Ltd has been granted planning permission subject to 14 conditions for the construction of a two- storey primary care centre on Birr Road, Banagher.

The development represents an important development for the town and plans for a general practitioners surgery plus HSE facilities comprising consulting rooms and waiting areas, meeting rooms, offices and ancillary accommodation.

A pharmacy unit is also planned, as is the construction of a single storey building to accommodate stores, waste areas, and plant room.

New access roads, car parking areas and set-down to serve the development are also outlined. 

Meanwhile boundary treatments including barriers at the site entrance, site lighting, hard and soft landscaping, site signage including a totem sign and signage mounted on the building, as well as the diversion of existing underground services and all associated works were included in the application to Offaly County Council.

The development was granted permission by the planning authority on August 2 last with 14 conditions attached.

These call for a revised set of plans showing the pedestrian link on the eastern boundary of the site, and service connection agreement with Irish Water for water and waste water supply.

It stipulates that surface water runoffs shall be collected, attenuated and discharged into public sewer, and that all wastes be managed, as well as noise emissions near dwellings, schools, places of worship.

Cables shall be undergrounded, while particulars regarding landscaping, street ground finishes, signage and exterior lighting are also included in the conditions.

A contribution to Offaly County Council in respect of public infrastructure and facilities shall also be made.

The planner found that subject to conditions, the development would "not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity", and would otherwise be in accord with the sustainable development of the area.

The HSE has yet to confirm a timeline for the construction of the new centre.