A number of GPs in Killarney from what was to be a state-of-the-art primary care centre have begun vacating their surgeries, on foot of a planning ruling that refused them permission for a primary care medical centre.
A spokesman for the doctors has described the failure of the ambitious plans as “a setback” for the region.
Substantial sums had been invested by the GPs and the Prime Healthcare Group into revamping a number of floors of the Gateway building which was built during the boom following a controversial rezoning of lands.
Objections
The GPs’ move into the commercial building in 2011 followed their failure to secure full planning on HSE lands alongside St Finan’s Hospital after objections by pharmacists to the inclusion of a pharmacy on the site.
Pharmacists along with An Taisce raised queries with An Bord Pleanála about the conversion of the Gateway commercial centre into medical use and also questioned the concentration of doctors in one location.
Following protracted planning issues, An Bord Pleanála last year allowed permission only for ground-floor surgeries.
Meanwhile, in recent months one of two pharmacies at the centre closed after the Prime Healthcare company became insolvent.
Following the planning decision, Killarney Town Council issued enforcement proceedings telling the GPs they must vacate the upper floors.