Connect with us

News

Calls to remove Protected Structure status at St Finan’s

Published

on

0255911_St_FinansI.JPG

By Sean Moriarty

Local councillor Brendan Cronin is calling for the removal of the ‘Protected Structure’ designation at the former St Finan's Hospital.

Cllr Brendan Cronin

The historic building has been lying idle since it closed in September 2012.

The hospital and adjoining lands are up for sale by the Health Service Executive (HSE) since then.

So far no realistic offer has been made on the site despite suggestions that it could be used for social housing, a catering college and a hotel.

Each year the building, which was built in the 1850s, falls into further disrepair.

Cronin believes its protected status is deterring potential buyers.

At Monday’s full meeting of Kerry County Council Cronin asked the Council executive to reconsider the designation.

“This is a strategically important site and the protected structure designation is a major impediment to any development or use of the building and adjacent lands, the building has been left empty and idle since closing in 2012 and taking on the burden of well over €100 million renovations has proven to be financially toxic,” he told the meeting.

“Ultimately, as time moves on it will become a derelict eyesore like similar buildings in other counties and cities. A change needs to be made in the current designation to lift the obstacles blocking the potential of this important site."

Kerry County Council management did not support the idea.

“A declaration has been issued in relation to the St Finan’s building and it is considered that the elements specified to be retained are not overly restrictive and do not impinge on the ability of this structure to be retained and renovated for a variety of uses. Kerry County Council offers a comprehensive pre-planning service and looks forward to meeting and engaging with the owners or prospective owners of the building with regard to its renovation,” said a Council official.

Advertisement

News

Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s

Published

on

By

Paralympic legend Jason Smyth visits St Brendan’s


World renowned Paralympian and world record holder Jason Smyth paid a visit to St Brendan’s College on Wednesday afternoon as part of a high profile visit to Killarney.


The six time Paralympic gold medallist spoke to second year students from St Brendan’s College, alongside students from neighbouring schools St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School and Killarney Community College.
The interactive talk and interview took place ahead of World Sight Day, with the legendary sprinter sharing his personal journey with Stargardt disease, a genetic eye condition that left him legally blind at eight years old.
The Derry native, who holds the world record as the fastest Paralympian on earth over 100 metres, offered inspiring insights into overcoming physical adversity and achieving success at the highest level of world sport.
The school visit formed the opening leg of his Killarney schedule before he took centre stage later on Wednesday evening at The Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa.
Smyth headlined An Evening with Paralympian Jason Smyth, an event organised by the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce as part of its winter schedule, sponsored by AIB.

Attachments

Continue Reading

News

Deerpark Retail Park placed on market for fifteen million euro

Published

on

By

Deerpark Retail Park in Killarney has officially been placed on the market with a guide price in excess of 15.4 million euro, excluding VAT.

International real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has been appointed as the sole sales agent to handle the high-profile commercial property sale on behalf of its current owner, Investcorp.

Investcorp, a global investment management firm headquartered in Bahrain, had previously acquired the prominent shopping complex.


The sale represents one of the largest commercial property offerings to launch in County Kerry this year.

Located roughly 1.3 kilometres west of Killarney town centre, the scheme enjoys strong regional connectivity and sits adjacent to independently owned operations including a Tesco Extra store, a Tesco petrol filling station, JYSK, and Aldi.


Constructed in 2006, the development extends across approximately 10,482 square metres, or 112,835 square feet.

The scheme comprises a mix of modern retail warehouse units and a complementary neighbourhood centre, offering 13 individual units in total with Part Open and Part Bulky Use planning permission.

The units range in size from 94.6 square metres up to 1,994.9 square metres. Visitors have access to approximately 248 customer parking spaces across the commercial grounds.

The park is currently 100 per cent occupied by a strong line-up of established national and international brands.

Key retail tenants include Marks & Spencer, Boots, DID Electrical, Maxi Zoo, and Mountain Warehouse.

The neighbourhood centre element accommodates service and convenience operators such as Costa Coffee, Card Factory, and Salon B.

The first-floor accommodation is fully let to Peak Performance Academy, which provides additional rental diversification.

Additionally, the scheme benefits from an agreement with Tesla to operate eight electric vehicle charging bays within the customer car park.


Commercial figures show that the property generates a total current rental income of 1,326,458 euro per annum, with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 4.45 years to break options and 6.46 years to lease expiry.

Cushman & Wakefield noted that the quoted guide price of 15.4 million euro reflects a net initial yield of 7.83 per cent, assuming standard purchaser costs of 9.96 per cent.

The selling agents highlighted that the fully occupied asset offers investors an attractive income profile alongside scope for additional income generation through parking commercialisation.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport