City councillors approve rezoning for hospice at Merlin Park

City Councillors have this evening approved the rezoning of land at Merlin Park to allow for the construction of a planned new hospice.
Following just under an hour of debate at City Hall, the majority of councillors voted to allow a seven-acre site be rezoned to facilitate the construction of the facility.
Five councillors voted against the rezoning.
Galway Hospice is hoping to build a new, expanded facility at Merlin Park to cater for the growing demand on its services.
However, concerns have been raised about the need to rezone recreational land to allow the construction to go ahead.
25 submissions opposing the development were received by the local authority – amid concerns over the destruction of a diverse habitat in the form of a meadow.
This evening, councillors are gathered for the second of a series of meetings on the City Draft Development plan, which will set out guidelines for planning decisions made over the next five years.
City planners recommended that the proposed site for the new hospice remain as recreational land – however the majority of councillors argued that end-of-life care for terminally ill patients should be prioritised.
City CEO Brendan McGrath said he deeply understands the highly emotive nature of the decision before the council, but he’s obliged to look at proper planning and sustainable development.
Councillor Terry O’Flaherty told the meeting that the hospice had looked at several sites in recent years, and had been unable to find a suitable location for expansion.
She was backed by a number of councillors including Sinn Féin councillor Cathal O’Conchuir and Declan McDonnell, who said a new hospice is badly needed.
However, Councillor Colette Connolly said rezoning the city’s ‘green lung’ would be a retrograde step.
Councillor Connolly along with her colleagues Mairead Farrell, Mike Cubbard, Frank Fahy and Mark Lohan voted against the rezoning.
However, the remaining 13 councillors voted in favour of the proposed hospice plans, meaning the land can now be rezoned to allow the facility be built.
The meeting on the new City Development Plan continues at City Hall.