A STANDALONE plan to demolish all buildings at the Overdale hospital site should be allowed to go ahead – subject to several conditions, the Planning Department has said.
The scheme, which is separate to proposals to build a new hospital at the site, is due to go before the Planning Committee on Thursday[3FEB] at St Paul’s Centre and has been recommended for approval by planning officers.
However, in a report, the officers suggest eight conditions – including that the more modern buildings on the site, Westmount Centre, Poplars Day Centre and William Knott Day Hospital, are retained until permission is obtained for a new hospital.
They also suggest ensuring that a programme of recording and analysis is undertaken of La Chapelle de Saint-Luc prior to any removal works taking place. Other proposed conditions relate to the way in which demolition is undertaken.
In a report outlining recommendations to the Planning Committee, officers acknowledge how there are buildings on the Overdale site which have reached the end of their meaningful life, are ‘no longer fit for the required standard of healthcare’ and cannot be reprovisioned for any alternative uses.
‘Members [of the Planning Committee] will recall that facilities at Overdale are in the process of being relocated to the former Les Quennevais School and work is in motion to facilitate this. There are, however, three more modern buildings located on the Westmount Road frontage – Westmount Centre, Poplars Day Centre and William Knott Day Hospital.
‘While the initial intention of the applicant was to see their demolition at the same time as the other aforementioned buildings, the department considers that these should be retained on site until such time as planning permission may be received for a new hospital on the land,’ the report says.
It adds: ‘Whilst it understands the applicant’s argument that these more modern buildings may not be fit for modern healthcare practices, they could potentially be used for other uses once healthcare facilities have been relocated.
Accordingly, their retention has been conditioned and consequently helps to pass the policy requirements on sustainability and retention of buildings, rather than simply demolishing them.’
A planning inquiry has been called to consider the separate plans for the new hospital. As part of the process, a planning inspector will analyse the new-hospital application – hearing representations from interested parties – before compiling a report containing a recommendation for the Environment Minister about whether or not they should approve the plans.
The inquiry is due to be held at St Paul’s Centre between 4 and 11 April.
