THE President of the Balearic government, Francesc Antich, has decided to consider a third possibility for the location of Palma's new hospital.
The political storm surrounding the choice of site has threatened to split Antich's newly formed Socialist government as left-wing members of his coalition, known as the Bloc had supported Antich's election campaign on the grounds that he would not have a completely new hospital built at Son Espases close to the emblematic site of the Monasterio Real, a historic heritage site.
The Bloc wanted to see the refurbishment of the present Son Dureta hospital on the outskirts of Palma but this option was resisted by its medical staff and finally, after investigation, by Antich himself. Contractors and plans are already in place for the development at Son Espases and if the government backs out of the agreement, indemnities will have to be paid in six figure sums. Now a so-called third option at Son Hugo lying between the ringroad and the Son Castelló industrial estate, originalrejected as a possibility for the siting of the hospital, is back on the table. Most of the land concerned is publicly owned and properly classified for urban development. According to Planning department sources, the site, where the plans for Son Espases could be superimposed, is better connected to public services than the site at Son Espases with links to Palma's ringroad and the railway line.
The Bloc's general secertary, Biel Barceló said yesterday that he looked very favourable on this new development although he was aware that at this stage caution would have to be exercised so as not to raise public hopes too much - they would be disappointingly dashed if the final government decision for the hospital returned to Son Espases. He pointed to conflicting viewpoints on the situation in as much as a conversation he had had with Francesc Antich included the option of Son Hugo, whereas regional government minister for the President's office, Albrt Moragues had insisted at a news conference that there were only two options - to reform Son Dureta or opt for the unpopular Son Espases.
Barceló said that although he had not received official confirmation of the third option, any other alternative to Son Espases, a project begun by the outgoing centre-right Partido Popular, would be gratefully considered.