Objectors say 'no' to new Galway Hospice site
A proposal to rezone lands at Merlin Park for the building of a new hospice facility is to be voted on today (Friday) at a meeting of the City Council.
There has been strong local opposition to the rezoning proposals on environmental grounds – but backers of the project say it is an ideal site for the hospice centre.
The rezoning proposal is for a 15.3-acre site at Merlin Park – part of which had been previously earmarked for an Alzheimers centre – from its current recreation/amenity status.
The Galway City Tribune has learned that given the nature of the project, a compromise amendment may be put forward for the rezoning of a smaller area – c. seven acres – to facilitate the new hospice.
This time last year, Galway Hospice announced plans for the construction of a new 26 bed state-of-the-art facility on the Merlin Park site.
At the launch of the project, the Hospice said that it would ‘future proof’ the facility and would provide an ‘optimum setting and supportive environment for family focused palliative care’.
However, the Friends of Merlin Woods group and some local residents, have strongly objected to the rezoning proposal on the basis that the land should be protected for its environmental and biodiversity value.
In a statement, Friends of Merlin Woods group have asked people in the area to contact their local representatives and to ask them ‘to keep their word’ on their commitment to protect Merlin Woods and meadows.
For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune