Permission sought for €12m primary care centre in Limerick town

PLANNING permission is being sought for a multi-million euro primary healthcare centre at the site of the former Pallas Foods chicken processing factory in Newcastle West.

PFM (NCW) Ltd has lodged a planning application with Limerick City and County Council for the centre which, if approved, will be located at Station Road, Gortboy, in the town.

The three-storey 45,000 square foot facility, which will cost in the region of €12 million to construct, will include a GP clinic, a pharmacy, a café and various other ancillary facilities.

It will also include HSE primary care medical facilities and diagnostic facilities including for radiology, ultrasound and occupational therapy. 

It is proposed to accommodate both Shannondoc and Tusla within the new centre while dentistry. physiotherapy and ophthalmology services will also be available to patients from across west Limerick.

According to planning documents, there will be 120 car parking spaces with vehicular access from the existing access road along the eastern boundary of the site.

Michael Finucane, chairman of the Newcastle West Development Association, has welcomed the plans saying such a development is much-needed for Newcastle West and the surrounding area.

“This is a leading example of both the private and public service coming together and the Geary family, after extensive discussions with the HSE, have to be complimented for proceeding with this development,” said the former Limerick West TD and senator.

“This is one of the most exciting projects to be undertaken for this area and it will provide excellent facilities for both Newcastle West and the wider surrounding area,” he added.

The Limerick Leader understands the lodging of the planning application with the local authority follows lengthy discussions and negotiations which have been ongoing between the various stakeholders for several months.

It’s expected the centre could become one of the most significant employers in west Limerick once it is fully staffed and up and running.

Last year the applicant company was granted permission by the local authority to demolish the disused manufacturing building, offices and weigh bridge offices on the site.

Submissions or observations relating to the planning application must be made to Limerick City and County Council within five weeks.

Subject to planning being granted for the development, it’s hoped work can begin towards the end of this year.