Permission granted for 28 unit housing development in south Mayo town

MAYO County Council has granted planning permission for a mixed unit housing development on a site on the outskirts of Claremorris.

Planning permission was granted to Shane Macken to construct 28 units on a 1.2 hectare greenfield site located within 700 metres of Claremorris Town Centre on the Convent Road.

The application was subject to a material contravention as the site is zoned Strategic Residential Reserve in the current County Development Plan and as such it is the policy of the local authority not to develop these lands within the plan period.

However, planners for Mayo Council Council recommended that the application be granted as it is located in close proximity to the town centre and to lands zoned as town centre outer core. They also pointed out that the side is a 'good example of a well connected and permeable location'.

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The matter was brought before local councillors at the October meeting of the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District who approved the material contravention.

The applicant has originally proposed to construct a 31 unit housing development consisting of six one-bedroom apartments, six two-bed duplex apartments, 16 three-bed semi detached houses and three four-bed detached houses.

Mr Maken was asked by Mayo County Council planners to reconsider the housing mix after raising concerns that the current proposal would not constitute 'an adequate, quantum and range of housing to accommodate the residential population needs of Claremorris'.

Planners asked the applicant to consider providing a higher number of family dwelling units after expressing concern at the number of proposed one-unit apartments on the site.

The planners also advised the applicant that the proposed design of the development lacks 'innovation and interest' and concrete block walls in the development were not an appropriate design feature.

Submissions were also received by local residents who expressed concern that the development may lead to increased traffic and road safety issues along the N60 road.

In response to the council's concerns, architect Seamus Owens on behalf of Mr Macken submitted revised design plans which included a revised housing mix of eight two-bed town houses, six four-bed detached houses and 14 three-bed semi-detached houses and the omission of a three storey one-bed apartment block.

Mr Owens added the revised design offers more connectivity and permeability for pedestrians and cyclists both within and beyond the development and the 1.8 metre high concrete block wall has been replaced with natural stone faced walls.

Mayo County Council agreed with the revised plans and granted planning permission for the development subject to 23 planning conditions.