Disappointment after planning granted to convert 'divisive' Mayo hotel

A North Mayo councillor has expressed disappointment that An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted planning permission for a 'divisive' application to turn the function room of the Dolphin Hotel in Crossmolina into homeless accommodation.

An Coimisiún Pleanála approved an appeal by Pat Mulhern Civil Engineering (Ireland) Limited, the owner of the Dolphin Hotel in Crossmolina to overturn a decision by Mayo County Council to refuse to retain and complete a change of use of the single-story function room from commercial to residential social accommodation.

The application was fiercely opposed by local people with 78 third party submissions received by Mayo County Council with the majority calling on the local authority to refuse planning permission.

In refusing planning permission last August, Mayo County Council planners found that the proposed development would endanger public safety ‘by reason of traffic hazard due to the additional traffic movements that would be generated’.

However, the decision was appealed by the applicant and last Thursday, An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the appeal and granted planning permission subject to eight conditions.

As part of the appeal, the applicant submitted an alternative layout allowing for ensuite shower rooms but the Commission considered that these were ad-hoc and not appropriately designed for the proposed use.

The Commission noted that the original floor plan submitted to Mayo County Council appeared to 'substantially comply' with guidelines for new emergency accommodation and granted retention and completion of the development as proposed to the local authority.

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Local councillor Michael Loftus expressed his disappointment that the appeal was successful and described what is proposed as divisive in Crossmolina. 

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District this morning, Cllr Loftus called on Mayo County Council to ensure all statutory obligations regarding fire regulations are met in the building.

“It was an awful disappointment for the community of Crossmolina that this was agreed,” he told the meeting.

Crossmolina councillor Michael Loftus

“I am amazed that it got over the line and how it could get over the line. Mayo County Council said no to it for very good reasons and good points. I haven't seen the conditions to allow it to operate but I feel it is something that needs to be checked and made sure everything is in order in relation to fire officers and other things which will be relevant to statutory authorities.I do hope it will be visited and checked.

“I am extremely disappointed to see it go in and see what they have done and what it is doing. It is very divisive and I am very disappointed about it,” he said.

In response, Declan Turnbull, Head of the Ballina Municipal District said he has not seen the conditions or the details of An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision and could not make a comment on it.

The hotel located on Ballina Street underwent an expensive major renovation in 2017 but it has been offering homeless accommodation under a partnership with Mayo County Council.

There are currently ten bedrooms in the hotel but the owners looked to add another ten bedrooms in the function room to sleep an additional 21 people and accommodate a maximum of 40 residents in total.

In the appeal, Mr Phelim Kelly of Bury Architects on behalf of Pat Mulhern Civil Engineering (Ireland) Limited stated that it was clear that public guest accommodation is not viable in Crossmolina and the function room has declined steadily over the past two decades.