An architectural rendering of the proposed new three-storey medical centre at Lisdaran, Cavan Town.

New €20m medical centre proposed

Plans are in motion to develop a new €20m medical centre on lands that once sold for the most expensive price per acre ever achieved in Cavan Town.

Known locally as ‘Corr’s Field’ at Loreto Road, Lisdaran Partnership is now seeking planning permission for a three-storey medical centre on the site, which already has planning in place for a new 160-bed nursing home.

The site of around 64 acres made history in 2007 when it sold for a price close to €312,500 per acre.

The landbank bordering Carrickane was later floated back on the market and in a joint sale by Savills and Crotty

Auctioneers, eventually exchanged hands at auction in December 2015, for €740,000, or €11,562.50 per acre.

Zoned “phase two lands’’ in the Cavan and Environs Development Plan 2014-2020, the farm property was once described as having “undoubted residential development potential”.

A local development consortium secured the purchase. In January 2020, under the name ‘The Lisdarn Partnership’, it secured planning permission for a nursing home at Lisdaran to be delivered in two phases of 80 beds each.

The latest application, submitted simply by ‘Lisdaran Partnership’, is complete with parking for more than 200 vehicles.

It's envisaged, if granted, the medical centre project could create up to 80 jobs, including medical and admin workers.

Genesis Planning Consultants have submitted a report on behalf of Lisdaran Partnership outlining the ambition for the new centre, to incorporate an ancillary pharmacy, staff areas and offices, therapy and treatment rooms, and a reception and waiting area.

Newry-based Genesis says, in terms of operational capacity, the medical centre could one day "relieve pressure on acute medical services" due to its strategic proximity to Cavan General Hospital.

In relation to the nursing home application, it was already stated that a future potential road linkage to the hospital through the co-located site could be established.

The site at Lisdaran has a significant planning history.

Charles Corr was granted full permission to build 11 houses on the site as far back as 2001.

In 2008, after the sale went through, Clare-registered company CLS (Crystal Partners Ltd) were refused planning permission on appeal to build 197 dwellings, a crèche and 16 more serviced residential sites, together with 381 car parking spaces.

The company CLS is listed as dissolved on May 1, 2018.

Pre-planning discussions between The Lisdarn Partnership and the council about the proposed nursing home development took place in December 2018.

A total of 17 conditions were attached when planning permission was granted. That is due to expire in February 2025.

Conditions include that the developer pays €214,250 in development fees, that a suitably qualified archaeologist carry out pre-development testing at the site as there is a Rath located within the lands, realignment of internal roads, and that all environmental protection and mitigation measures be complied with, particularly with regard to how sewage is managed.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority in connection with the application for the new medical centre.

A decision is due in late November.