Concerns over road safety have halted the expansion plans of The Galway Clinic, owned by Larry Goodman. The proposals, which would allow the clinic to care for an extra 14,165 patients each year, have been met with opposition from a single protestor.
Indeed, the Galway City Council provided Mr Goodman’s Galway Clinic Doughiska UC with planning permission last month. The consented construction includes a two-level extension, improved diagnostic and medical examination facilities, an ambulance bay, and a reduction by 48 regular parking spaces.
MKO, the environmental and planning advisors for the clinic, disclosed in an associated planning report that the clinic’s footprint would be increased by 2,050 sq m. They also predicted a staff increase of 20 due to the proposed progression. The expansion would mean more individuals could access necessary healthcare services such as cardiology and urology treatments, in the west of Ireland and Galway more efficiently and promptly.
However, the progress has been paused subsequent to an appeal by a local inhabitant, Dr Sheila Furey, against the given permission to An Bord Pleanála. Dr Furey of Doughiska, Galway, was one of three objectors against the proposed expansion prior to its planning permission by Galway City Council.
The council gave permission after an internal investigation determined that the proposed extension wouldn’t worsen the clinic’s site access issue. Dr Furey’s appeal mentioned that the given permission doesn’t sufficiently address her concerns and others’. In fact, Dr Furey claims the plans to extend over an existing car park would only accentuate already prominent parking issues locally.
She argued that Galway Clinic’s nearby area has long been affected by visitors and clinic users parking inappropriately, compelling pedestrians to walk on the roads. Dr Furey’s appeal states that a dangerous and improper road layout is a result of routing public road traffic into the clinic, an issue yet to be rectified.
The Galway Clinic is encompassed within the wider Blackrock Health network, along with the Blackrock Clinic and Hermitage Clinic. The representative has stated that they are currently unable to provide further commentary whilst the planning permission procedure is ongoing. They eagerly await the decision from An Bord Pleanála.