CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a hospice on a Newport woodland could be stalled as planning officials recommend the proposal is refused.

Newport-based charity St David's Foundation Hospice Care lodged a planning application in November last year to build a new hospice and chemotherapy outreach clinic on land in Beechwood, known locally as Woodland Park.

But plans for the £2.9 million hospice, which would provide day care and chemotherapy for an estimated 1,448 patients a year, were met with opposition from people living nearby because, they claim, the development would lead to the loss of valuable green space and wildlife in a park used regularly by residents and three local schools.

At a planning committee meeting on Thursday, council officers will recommend St David's plans are refused on the grounds that the development would result in the loss of designated environmental space and established woodland, and the height and scale of the new centre would have an overbearing impact on neighbouring houses.

The report also states the building would disturb protected species and their habitats.

Officers advised St David’s before it submitted its application that there was likely to be opposition to plans to build on Woodland Park, and suggested seven alternative sites including the Lysaghts Institute, the Lawns Club, and the then vacant children’s hospital at High Cross.

The report said: “Unfortunately the applicant did not consider any of these alternative sites to be suitable.”

The council received 79 letters and a petition containing 316 signatures opposed to the plans, as well as objections from public protection and environmental services, and Gwent Wildlife Trust.

Officers did receive 59 letters and a petition signed by 177 people in support of the application, but officers said that while the need for a new St David’s facility is not disputed a new outreach centre must be located in the right place.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Hospice is vital

IT IS a shame that the plans for a new hospice for Newport are being recommended for refusal.

But it seems that the site chosen by St David's Foundation for its £2.9m hospice is just not acceptable to planning officers, who cite a whole host of reasons why the building should not go ahead.

We St David's Foundation and we are aware of the desperate need for this facility for the city.

However, we are also aware that the plan to build on land in Beechwood, known locally as Woodland Park, has always had its opponents, not least among nearby residents.

Of course we cannot second guess the reaction of councillors, who may well overturn the officers' recommendation, but our hope is that if the plan is turned down then the council agrees to work closely with the charity to find a suitable alternative site to enable the hospice to build sooner rather than later.