Councillors voted in favour of the application by Patrick Lydon of the Camphill Community, The Workhouse, Callan for alterations to the existing building and the creation of 38 car parking spaces in the existing yard and a staff entrance on Clonmel Road with 19 car parking spaces. The Callan Workhouse is a protected structure.
The facility's ground floor is due to include four GP consulting rooms, two nurse treatment rooms, staff rooms, offices, reception/ waiting area, toilets, utility rooms, extra/ diagnostics and two lifts. The first floor will have a conference room, dining/day room and kitchen, two consulting offices, three offices, toilets and reception; with a physiotherapy room, physio office, two dental suites, reception and toilets on the second floor.
It is also envisaged that the medical centre will be a 'green building' with extensive roof and wall planting, tree planting and open spaces. The heating will from a wood chip district heating system and it is also intended that solar panels on the roof will provide both heat and hot water. Some electrical generating capacity will also be included by providing four 1.5kw rated wind turbines and PVA panels at roof level. The material contravention was approved by Kilkenny Co Council with 23 councillors voting 'for' and three absent.