Public encouraged to engage in Westport House debate

Public urged to join in Westport House debate


Michael Duffy

THE ambitious Masterplan for Westport House and Demense, which were released last week, are to go on public display at Westport Civic Office before the end of the month.
Westport Town Council are to discuss the process in detail with the consultant involved this week and it is hoped to begin the public consultation process after these discussions.
“Once we have decided on the process, an advert will be placed in the local press detailing the process and it is expected that the public consultation process will last six weeks. We also hope to organise some workshops with the public so any questions with regard to the plan can be asked,” said Ann Moore, Town Clerk with Westport Town Council on Monday last.
Mr David Browne from RKD Architects took the councillors through the whole 32 page document at their July public meeting. Mr Browne made it clear that the plan overall was a 25 to 50 year plan for the area.
All of the councillors present (Cllrs Myles Staunton and Keith Martin were absent) welcomed the proposal.

The Plan

We've made an interactive map of the proposed developments at Westport House. The map below is clickable.
View Westport House Master Plan in a larger map

Cllr Martin Keane said the proposal had to be welcomed and ‘God willing we will all be here to see it happen’. He added that former town manager Peter Hynes had a big role in play in the plan, in conjunction with the Browne family.
Cllr Margaret Adams said Westport House had been one of Westport’s main attractions for half a century. She said there was a lot to be taken in from the plan but that the public needed to show interest in what was an ambitious plan.
Cllr Ollie Gannon said it was clear that the next generation in Westport could reap the benefits of such a plan. However, he added that the council themselves had to ‘get their own house in order’ and lobby to have the necessary relief roads put in place around the town.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said it was great to finally see the plan in front of the council, especially as the new road proposed in the plan would provide much needed access between the Golf Course Road and the Quay area, although Mr Browne made it clear that the whole plan would have be given the go-ahead by the public and the Council before any aspect could go to the construction stage.
Cllr Christy Hyland said anything that could enhance the beauty of the town as a whole had to be supported and he called on all agencies to work together, even if it was going to be difficult to keep everyone happy.
Cllr Michael McLaughlin said if the plan was developed in its entirety there would be ‘nothing to rival it in the country’.
“Our focus here in Westport has to be on tourism as Castlebar has taken on the commercial mantle for the county. It is clear that the plan would create a lovely place to live in, there are far too many urban sprawls in this country.”
Cllr Tereasa Maguire, Cathaoirleach of the authority, called for dialogue to show the way and people to have their say on where the plan goes from here. She also suggested that the Council facilitate an open day where a question and answer session on development could be held.
Mr Joe Loftus, Director of Services, said the proposal would also have to go before the Westport Electoral Area committee of Mayo County Council as some lands included in the proposals were outside the town boundary.

Click here to download the full 32-page presentation given to Westport Town Council