Cork County Cllr. Pat Burton, Fine Gael candidate for Cork North Central in the General Election is proposing the building of a new Hospital/Health Site in Ballyvolane, Cork. The need for the hospital arises from the HSE Reconfiguration Programme to provide a new home for the Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary Victoria Hospital over time. In light of the regrettable HSE policy of closing St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital and the previously closed North Infirmary and Our Lady’s Hospital, Cllr Burton said it is imperative that the new chosen site is in the Northside of Cork City.
Highlighting the benefits of this location Cllr. Burton pointed out that its location was strategically advantageous because of its access to the North Ring Road, the city centre, and the newly proposed Outer Northern Road, which in time will connect to the N8, the N20 and the N22. He stressed the importance of scaling the site to suit the health infrastructural requirements of the Cork region for the next hundred years.
The proposal is in line with the Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP) to rebalance the city and it also conforms to the Cork Area Transport Study for a priority public transport route to city centre and Cork Airport.
The 2011Local Area Draft Development Plan for Cork City North Environs includes a proposal for up to 3,600 houses. Cllr. Burton has already included a proposal in this Plan for a *50 acre leisure and sports park *at Ballyvolane. This park should provide sports facilities for all codes, together with a leisure park equivalent to Fitzgeralds Park serving both the residents of the existing Northside and future housing developments.
