Larry Goodman’s Galway Clinic can now expand its operations to treat an additional 14,165 patients a year. An objector’s appeal had hitherto stalled the plans for almost 10 months.
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to the clinic for a two-storey extension comprising of additional medical facilities and a new ambulance bay. It also allows for the removal of 48 car parking spaces.
A planning report lodged with the application, which will extend the footprint of Galway Clinic by 2,050sq m, said the proposed development is expected to increase staff numbers by 20.
Galway City Council granted planning permission for the scheme on March 28th, 2024, but plans were put on hold after local resident Dr Sheila Furey lodged an appeal against the grant of permission with An Bord Pleanála. The appeal was primarily concerned with traffic issues, and Dr Furey was one of three parties to lodge objections to the proposed extension when the application was before the council.
In its decision the appeals board concluded that the proposed reduction in car parking number would not have a material impact on the amenity of neighbouring dwellings, and “the traffic impact arising as a result of the development would be minimal”.
In her appeal Dr Furey said the grant of permission did not adequately address the valid concerns and issues not only in her objection but in the other objections previously lodged against the proposal.
Galway Clinic said that the proposed development would remove 48 car parking spaces from the total of 731.
The inspector in the case, Darragh Ryan, said that the illegal parking of cars was a traffic enforcement issue. He said based on traffic analysis for the site there was adequate parking to facilitate all potential users.
In her appeal Dr Furey said the area in the vicinity of Galway Clinic had been blighted for many years by clinic users and visitors parking at the sides of the public roads, on footpaths and verges, forcing pedestrians on to the roads, and obstructing entrances. Dr Furey said a multistorey car-park at the clinic had not resolved the ongoing parking issues.
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