Mayo development plan contravention to allow children's hospice progress

COUNCILLORS in the Castlebar Municipal District have voiced their support for a material contravention of the county development plan to clear the way for planning permission for the new Sunflowers Children's Hospice in the town.

The children’s hospice will provide specialist palliative day and in-patient services, respite, and end-of-life care.

The centre, located at Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, will consist of day rooms, shared therapies including a hydrotherapy suite, eight inpatient bedrooms, four family overnight bedrooms, and other facilities, including a contemplation room and family gathering room.

The material contravention was on the district's monthly meeting agenda for noting.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Ger Deere said it will be a great development for Castlebar and the whole county and will mean so much to families.

The material contravention is necessary as the site is zoned as Enterprise and Employment in the Castlebar Local Area Plan. However, the planning authority felt the development should be granted, noting that the local area plan supports the provision of additional healthcare facilities.

Recommending the contravention, the planning department considers the proposed location for the children’s hospice is appropriate due to the high concentration of healthcare related development at the location, namely the Castlebar Primary Care Centre and pharmacy, as well as the good supporting road infrastructure serving the development site at this edge of town location.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme