Plan for medical facility at former bank in Cork city suburb green lit

PLANS for a medical facility at the site of a former bank in the heart of Douglas have been green lit.

Last December, Salguodtsae Limited lodged an application with Cork City Council seeking permission for the development at the former TSB bank on East Douglas Street. 

The application proposed the change of use to a consulting medical facility “for the provision of various miscellaneous in- and out-patient procedures”, with ancillary retail, administrative, and consultancy facilities.

It also sought permission for various minor landscaping and site works.

Cork City Council sought further information before making a decision on the application, including requesting more detailed floor plans. One of the documents submitted during the request for further information stage said the existing building is currently vacant and has been for many years.

“This has unfortunately attracted an amount of anti-social behaviour,” it said, adding that the change of use would “bring use back to the building, remove the unwanted anti-social element, and enhance the high street upon which it sits”.

The local authority ultimately decided to approve the proposed development subject to 15 conditions. One condition stipulates that no permission is granted for vehicular access or egress to and from the development via East Douglas Street or for the car parking to the rear of the building accessed through same.

The council said that prior to the start of development works, the applicant must submit revised site layout plans omitting same and showing these entrances to be for pedestrian and cyclist access and egress only.