Change in plan for apartments raises concerns over medical centre in Cork
Alarm has been raised at the potential loss of a doctor, dentist and physiotherapist from Cork’s northside due to plans for more apartments.
A planning application for The Plaza development at City Square in Blackpool has been submitted in recent weeks by a Cypriot investment company called Lascara Ltd.
The company proposes changing one of the commercial units in the building into apartments, with concern now raised about the future of the medical centre next door.
It is understood that the operators of the medical services in the building have been told that their leases will not be renewed. This is despite indicating their desire to remain in place. A local TD has expressed fear that the commercial unit will also be converted.
The application calls for a change of use from commercial to residential of unit 7, The Plaza, to provide one studio apartment, three one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments.
It also applies for a change of use to residential use of 44 Watercourse Road to be converted to two studio apartments and five one-bedroom apartments.
Local Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould hit out at the potential departure of the GP’s surgery, claiming it is evidence of “a vulture fund damaging communities and putting profit before ordinary people”.
Mr Gould claimed that there are vacant lots on the Blackpool site that could definitely be suitable for housing.
Requests for comment from the company which manages both the asset and the property were not answered, while a named representative of Lascara’s did not return calls.
Mr Gould said that the change of use would evict needed services from Blackpool and that he has written to the fund to seek assurances.
“They do not care about the housing crisis and they certainly do not care about Blackpool. Without a second’s thought, they are evicting a doctor, a dentist and a physiotherapist.”
He accused Fine Gael of “opening their arms and welcoming these funds to this state” which has led to situations like that in Blackpool. “They invited them in and now our communities are paying the price,” Mr Gould said.
