Plans lodged for wildlife hospital at Mornington

A planning application has been submitted to Meath County Council for what would be Ireland’s first purpose-built wildlife rehabilitation and teaching hospital.

The facility is planned for part of the former driving range site at Mornington and, if approved, will mark a major milestone in the care of Ireland’s wildlife, the applicants say.

The proposal includes a timber-clad, one-and-a-half storey building with a distinctive red corrugated roof, set within landscaped grounds and a secure compound. Surrounding the hospital will be specialist outdoor enclosures such as aviaries, mammal pens and seal pools, all designed to help animals recover in natural surroundings before their release.

In addition to treatment areas, the hospital will feature teaching and training rooms, providing vital facilities to improve veterinary expertise in wildlife care across the country. Plans also include visitor amenities, workshops, isolation units, new access roads and a connection to public wastewater services.

Because of the site’s proximity to sensitive habitats, the application is supported by a Natura Impact Statement and detailed ecological assessments to ensure the protection of the surrounding environment.

Conservation groups say the project has the potential to transform wildlife care in Ireland, creating a dedicated hub for treatment, rehabilitation and education that has long been lacking.