HSE gets go-ahead for Athboy medical centre

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been granted planning permission for the construction of a primary care centre at the Athboy Cowpark development. The 866 square feet part-single storey/part-two storey primary care centre will comprise of consultant rooms, treatment rooms, dental surgery, administration offices and ancillary facilities off Lower Bridge Street, with 24 car parking spaces and a service compound. There had been objections to the plans by residents of the Coille Dios development nearby, and is was feared a delay in the planning approval could jeopardise the €2 million funding for the centre. Six years ago, Athboy Social and Recreational Company launched a major project at the disused commonage, the Cowpark, which included the social housing development Coille Dios, sports and leisure facilities, parkland, scouts camping facilities, riverwalks and the health centre. Over the years, many elements of this project have been completed. A number of unnamed 'concerned residents of Coille Dios", acting through Joe Casserly, planning and mapping consultant, objected to the HSE application, saying the zoning of the area didn"t suit it and that the existing wastewater treatment for the town, for which an upgrade is due to be completed in mid-2010, is unable to cope with such a development. A total of 23 points were made by the objectors. The ambitious €9 million sporting and social facility on the grounds of the Old Cowpark in Athboy was described as 'a project for the people' by then Cllr Liz McCormack, the chairperson of the limited company, when the plans were launched. The development of the 29-acre site includes playing pitches, bowling and archery facilities, a sports hall, riverside walks, tennis and basketball courts and social housing. The Coille Dios housing estate provides 56 local authority homes. Originally, a site of about 35 acres was transferred by the Dyas estate to trustees appointed by the Department of Lands in 1948. The land was a commonage to be used to provide pasture for local people who had no land of their own. When the Department of Agriculture decided to dispose of all such sites, Meath County Council, , secured the site. The subsequent Athboy Social Needs and Recreational Company is a partnership between local community representatives, councillors and council officials. A major fundraising drive took place to raise funds, and State funding was also secured.