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Concern over St Michael’s development

Friday, 04 April 2008

Confirmation that the Health Services Executive (HSE) is to start building two new operating theatres at St Michael’s Hospital in Dún Laoghaire does not rule out the site being sold to a developer in the future, according to campaigners who want to keep the hospital in the town.
The HSE has confirmed it is to commence building the theatres as part of a revamp of the hospital at a cost of e12 million later this year.
The move is likely to dampen speculation that developer Noel Smyth could buy the hospital and turn it into a private development in the near future.

Significant
In a statement to Southside People, the HSE said: “This year will see one of the most significant capital developments at the hospital commence, that is, the re-development of the operating theatres and day procedure facilities at a total cost of almost e12 million.
“This major project will consolidate the hospital as an increasingly important location for the provision of elective surgery in conjunction with St Vincent’s Hospital.”
The owners of the hospital - the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group - issued a similar statement confirming that that the tenders for the appointment of the design team are currently being progressed.
Developer Noel Smyth has previously denied claims that he is trying to buy the site of St Michael's Hospital.
However, he has stated that if the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group decided in the future to sell, he would be interested in buying it.
Speaking to Southside People, one of the main campaigners to keep the hospital at its current site - Richard Boyd Barrett - said the construction of the operating theatres did not mean the hospital site could not be sold for development in the future.
“That wouldn’t in any way preclude a sale being made,” he said. “My reading of the situation is that the owners of the hospital are not strongly inclined to sell the hospital but that they are still open to an offer.”
St Michael's Hospital hit the headlines last year when it emerged that the St Vincent's Healthcare Group was considering preliminary proposals from Smyth who was seeking to acquire part or all of St Michael's Hospital.
Local residents and various political parties and community activists then mounted a campaign because they feared any sale of the hospital grounds would mean its eventual relocation outside Dún Laoghaire.
Much of the concern over the future of the health facility stems from a decision by the Sisters of Mercy to sell the adjoining car park, which is used by hospital staff and patients.
Earlier this year, the entire car park was sold to Smyth whose company Alburn applied to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for planning permission for a mixed retail/residential development on the 3.2-hectare site on Crofton Road.

Refused
The proposal included a mixed use residential/retail building ranging from six to eight storeys along Crofton Road. The scheme would consist of 80 apartments and two retail units.
The county council refused permission on the basis that it would, “place an unreasonable burden on the development potential of the hospital and would impact on the operation and amenity of the hospital”.
The decision is currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

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