Planning permission granted by the county council for a 50 bed Residential Care Centre in Tuam has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
The HSE received approval for the Residential Care Centre with 50 ensuite rooms, including a dedicated 10 bed dementia unit, on the Sean Purcell Road, Tuam last month.
That decision has now been appealed to the higher planning authority by an individual who had previously sent an objection to the county council.
Liam Madden, with an address in Longford Town said that this project is not suited to Tuam and should be developed in Galway City.
He also said that the Ecological Impact Assessment submitted by the HSE does not constitute a proper Environmental Impact Assessment and has no meaning law.
The Health Service Executive has said that this development will “provide much needed modernised services for those in need of residential care, and their families, within the Tuam and hinterland area”.
The two storey health centre will contain multiple services including a reception area, day care and therapy spaces, activity rooms, dining areas and their associated kitchen facilities, family accommodation and amenities as well as office and administration space.
The building is designed around a central courtyard with additional wings which will house the day care and some of the service areas.
The landscape plan for the area was also given heavy consideration in the project, with gardens and other outdoors areas designed to provide space for therapy sessions, spend time with family, or just allow residents to relax by themselves.
The county council had raised concerns about the vehicle access off the Sean Purcell Road, and asked the HSE to instead have vehicle access through the existing Primary Care Centre next door.
However the HSE said that the plans as submitted were the only “viable, safe option to serve the proposed development”.
A Road Safety Audit, Waste Management Plan, and updated Flood Risk plans were submitted to the council at that time, and planning permission was granted with 16 conditions.
