Planning approval for Cork mental health facility welcomed as ‘major milestone’

CORK County Council has granted permission for a new 10-bed mental health community rehabilitation residence on the site of the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton.

It granted permission for demolition of the existing mental health facility and outbuildings and the construction of the 10-bed facility.

Permission has also been granted for 17 onsite parking spaces, external heat pumps, a waste management compound, a back-up generator enclosure, 10 sheltered bicycle parking spaces, external signage, and all other associated landscaping and site works.

Social Democrats councillor for Midleton Liam Quaide, who has long campaigned for mental health service provision to remain in Midleton, described the planning approval as “a major milestone” and said it is very welcome that the HSE has followed through on its commitment to the project with “concrete and swift action” in recent months.

“This planning approval is a major milestone in the Owenacurra Centre campaign,” he said.

Mr Quaide also welcomed the HSE’s acquisition of a property in Midleton for three Owenacurra residents and commitment to the purchase of a second three-bed property, both of which Cork Kerry Community Healthcare confirmed last December would be completed by the second quarter of this year.

The HSE first announced its intention to close Owenacurra in June 2021 and just six of the original 20 occupants remained at the facility before it flooded last October.

Mary Hurley, a family member of an Owenacurra resident, told The Echo that the campaign, launched in 2021, was something “nobody ever wants to have to do” but they are grateful for the support over the past three years.

“We are really happy about it. One of the things that I felt was really important was having a centre or service right in the middle of Midleton town for all of East Cork,” she said.

“Owenacurra is a really established centre and it has huge acceptance and connection in the town. Having a service that’s already embedded and connected where you have skilled workers as well and people who have been there for whole careers, that’s a huge asset to a service. We feel very grateful.”