THE FUTURE of the playing fields near Taunton’s hospital remains in the balance as talks continue over proposed development there.

Taunton Deane Borough Council granted planning permission in March 2019 for a Maggie’s cancer centre to be constructed on a small section of the Galmington Playing Fields near Musgrove Park Hospital.

The planned facility is designed to provide support to cancer patients and their families both during and after treatment.

Members of the local community, including the Friends of Galmington Playing Fields, opposed the development and threatened to take legal action against the council to stop it from going ahead.

Nearly a year on from the committee’s decision, discussions remain ongoing over the future of the site, with Somerset West and Taunton Council still keen to find a solution to satisfy all parties.

READ MORE: Delay to decision over future of cancer centre on playing park

Council leader Federica Smith-Roberts included an update on the Maggie’s situation in her report to the full council on Wednesday evening (February 26).

She said in her written report: “Following a meeting in October with representatives of Maggie’s, the Friends of Galmington Playing Fields, the hospital and ward councillors, members of the executive, our chief executive James Hassett and I have had a further meeting with all those involved, along with a site visit to the hospital to further discuss options for a Maggie’s centre.

“We will be meeting again towards the end of this month to discuss further.”

The council confirmed its last conversation with relevant parties took place on January 24, stating it was “exploring all options” and would keep the Friends of Galmington Playing Fields “fully up to date”.

READ MORE: POLL: Should the Maggies Cancer Centre be built on Galmington Playing Fields?

The Friends tweeted in January: “Hopefully this year we’ll see our park saved from developers and efforts to enhance this sacred green space begin in earnest.”

The new centre is listed as “coming soon” on the official Maggie’s website, which states it will cost £5M to construct and run in its first year.

Dr John Graham, the lead consultant oncologist at Musgrove Park Hospital, has given his personal backing for the centre in a statement published on the Maggie’s website.

He said: “The time we can give our patients is often limited and cancer brings challenges that a hospital environment often isn’t designed to address.

“Having a Maggie’s right alongside Musgrove Park Hospital will make a huge difference – a place for the people we treat and their families and friends to find the support they need in a beautiful setting.”