Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway city councillors have voted to give the go ahead to plans to locate a new facility for Galway Hospice at Merlin Park.
At last evening’s meeting of Galway City Council, some members wanted to treat the issue impartially from a planning perspective, while others urged their colleagues to take a more empathetic approach to the issue.
Galway Hospice currently has 18 bed spaces at its centre in Renmore – too few spaces to cope with the heavy pressure on waiting lists for inpatient services.
The HSE has agreed to sell 14 acres of land at Merlin Park to the charity for a brand new centre, which would intially offer 26 beds and eventually expand to 50 spaces.
However, the land in question is zoned recreation and amenity which has led to divided opinion over the suitability of the site.
Local objectors have voiced opposition to the project amid environmental concerns.
At last evening’ s meeting of the council, several councillors voiced opposition to the proposed facility – some over the potential impact on the biodiversity of the site, while others did not wish to see recreational space removed from the City Development Plan.
Councillor Colette Connolly pointed out that Merlin Park has almost 80 acres of vacant land available – and said it was hard to understand why a recreational zone was chosen in what she called ‘the jewel in the crown of the east side’.
Mayor Noel Larkin said Galway Hospice had searched extensively across the city for suitable sites – and refusing the Merlin Park location could set them back years.
Councillor Pearce Flannery said the proposed facility would not harm Merlin Woods or its ecosystem – and said he was disappointed that plants and protocol were being prioritised over people.
Some councillors were unhappy with the size of the proposed development, with Councillors Michael Crowe and Declan McDonnell expressing doubt that even the reduced submission of 7 acres is necessary.
After sustained debate, the matter went to a vote on allowing for a 7 acre site for Galway Hospice at Merlin Park.