A planning application by the Western Health Board for the construction of housing on its land at Merlin Park in Galway city has been rejected by An Bord Pleanala, virtually ruling out the prospect of the land being developed.
The WHB's application to build 143 houses on the grounds of Merlin Park Hospital had been initially turned down by Galway Corporation last year, but this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
The board rejected the scheme on three counts, one of which was that such a development would have an adverse effect on an important open-space amenity. It was also stated in the refusal that the development would seriously injure the amenities of the area due to its location within an existing parkland setting.
"It is one of the few remaining areas in Galway city which provide a valuable sustainable resource in terms of amenity and aesthetic impact", the board stated.
