POTENTIAL BUYER FOR ST SENAN’S HOSPITAL
Deal with local buyers is believed to be at ‘sale agreed’ stage for landmark site
PLANS to house a third level institution within the grounds of the old St Senan’s Hospital may have been dealt a hammer blow this week as it emerged that negotiations are at an advanced stage with a potential buyer.
The former hospital had initially been listed for sale with a guide price of €780,000, and it is now at ‘sale agreed’ stage according to agents Purcell Properties.
While the identity of the potential buyer is still unknown, it is believed that they are local to the area and one of the potential uses for the property being mooted is a luxury hotel.
The agent overseeing the sale of the property, Des Purcell, refused to comment on the matter except to say that ‘it’s not sold until it’s all signed and finished’. Mr Purcell refused to be drawn on the identity of the interested party or their plans for the protected building, however, he did say that the potential buyer was not a state agency. He also says that it could be up to a month before the sale is finally over the line.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT of major roadworks between The Duffry and the Milehouse Cross were a major cause for concern in recent weeks. Some of the worst fears of residents were realised on Thursday of last week when usual evening traffic combined with match traffic at Bellefield to create chaos.
Throw-in at the match was delayed and a number of people connected with the clubs involved had difficulties reaching the grounds as they negotiated a wave of diversions that were in place.
Among those caught up in the chaos was Cllr John O’Rourke who said that it took him over 45 minutes to get from Bellefield to his house on the Ross Road.
‘It was absolutely crazy,’ said Cllr O’Rourke. ‘ There seemed to be no management on it whatsoever. There were no people out directing traffic and there was no stop go system in place. People who didn’t know the town had no idea what way to go.’
Cllr O’Rourke immediately contacted Engineer and acting District Manager Tadhg O’Corcora and Wexford County Council groundstaff were deployed to try and alleviate the situation.
‘Unfortunately, there’s never a good evening to do these things,’ said Mr O’Corcora. ‘We have tried to carry out work at periods while there is less traffic, but it’s a very busy junction.’
While things seem to have run more smoothly since, there are still major concerns for when schools start back in September. Cllr O’Rourke has called for more interaction between the contractors and the local community to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that everyone knows what diversions are in place.
Roadworks are due to continue until October 16.