Laois hospital upgrade proposed

The HSE has submitted plans to Laois County Council for a two-storey extension of St Fintan’s Hospital in Portlaoise.

The Health Service Executive has applied for permission to construct an extension and make alterations to St Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise, featuring a new two-storey extension within the existing internal courtyard on the north side of the main building and a new single storey extension to accommodate a new plant room .

Also included in the plans are general refurbishment works on both ground and first floor, as well as the removal of the existing Tusla external door, ramps and barriers, and the creation of a new Tusla entrance with existing windows removed and new openings created to accommodate new entrance doors and side windows.

It is also proposed to create a new pedestrian boulevard at the front.

A report included with the application says it is considered that the overall impact of the proposed works on the architectural character of the hospital is low and will not negatively detract from the overall historical significance of the original hospital buildings.

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has requested that the works be carried out under the supervision of a qualified conservation architect.

The works are to be carried out to best practice, as per department guidelines, and upstands are to be retained in the walls of former cells proposed for removal, to retain legibility of the historic layout of the building.

All historic stone must be salvaged and retained, as well.