By Gordon Deegan

Larry Goodman’s Galway Clinic can now expand its operations to treat an additional 14,165 patients per annum after a sole objector’s appeal stalled the plans for almost ten months.

This follows An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission for a two-storey extension comprising additional enhanced medical assessment, diagnostic facilities, a new ambulance bay and the removal of 48 car-parking spaces.

A planning report lodged with the application, which will extend the footprint of Galway Clinic by 2,050 sq m, stated that the proposed development is expected to increase staff by 20 at the hospital.

Planning and environmental consultants for the hospital, MKO, state that, as the Galway Clinic provides high-quality treatment – especially cardiology and urology treatment – the development will increase the number of people that are able to access necessary healthcare services in Galway and the west of Ireland in a timely and efficient manner.

Galway City Council granted planning permission for the scheme on March 28 2024 but plans were put on hold after local Doughiska resident, Dr Sheila Furey, lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála

The appeal lodged by Dr Furey 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 amenity of neighbouring dwellings in the local area and “the traffic impact arising as a result of the development would be minimal”.

In her appeal, Dr Furey stated that the grant of permission doesn’t adequately address the valid concerns and issues not only in her objection but in the other objections lodged against the proposal.

Galway Clinic stated that the proposed development will remove 48 car parking spaces where there are currently 731 car parking spaces, and this will be reduced to 683.

Inspector in the case, Darragh Ryan stated that the illegal parking of cars is a traffic enforcement issue.

He said that based on traffic analysis for the site that there is adequate parking to facilitate all potential users of the site.

In her appeal, Dr Furey contended that the area in the vicinity of Galway Clinic has been blighted for many years by clinic users and visitors parking at the sides of the public roads, on footpaths and verges forcing pedestrians onto the roads and obstructing entrances.

Dr Furey stated that a multi-storey carpark built at the site has not resolved the ongoing parking issues.