Planning approved to convert north Mayo homes into townhouses

A BELMULLET developer has successfully appealed a decision by Mayo County Council to refuse permission to subdivide two houses into a Belmullet estate into townhouses.

Eamon Padden had been refused permission retention for the sub-division of two houses located at Slievemore View, Church Road, Belmullet into two two-bedroom townhouses because Mayo County Council considered the development would 'constitute undesirable, haphazard development'.

Slievemore View consists of seven detached dormer houses located approximately 430 metres south of the centre of Belmullet and Mr Padden had proposed to subdivide houses one and seven into two two-bedroom town houses with a floor area of 68 square metres and 91 square metres.

In refusing planning permission, Mayo County Council planners stated that the development represents over development of both sites as the existing pattern of development is low density residential development.

“The development if granted would be out of character with this existing pattern of development and would set an undesired precedent for similar type of developments in Slievemore View,” the planners report stated.

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However in the appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, the appellant argued that the increase in density is marginal and the development would not be out of character with the existing density. As part of the appeal, an amended layout was provided which allows for more space to be dedicated to car parking which would result in two spaces per dwelling and Mr Padden was happy for a condition to be applied requiring this be implemented within six months of a grant of permission.

In his report to An Coimisiún Pleanála, the planning inspector, Mr Ciarán Daly, stated that while the precedent would be set which would potentially allow for the sub-division of each dwelling in the estate which could result in 14 dwellings, he believed the proposed density would be consistent with the County Development Plan.

Mr Daly also stated that given the absence of 'significant external changes' he did not agree that it would result in a 'haphazard development out of character with the existing low density pattern of development'.

“I consider that the development would integrate the sites and surroundings and would be in keeping with the pattern of development in the estate,” he stated.

Mr Daly also noted that the retention would not result in significant traffic safety issues and the development 'would therefore not unduly negatively impact on the residential or visual amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and is acceptable in terms of car parking provision and convenience'.

The Commission agreed with his recommendation to grant permission and did so subject to six planning conditions.