Objection lodged to Bangor Community Centre

Objection lodged to Bangor Community Centre


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

Plans to convert the old Bangor Erris Garda Station into a Community Centre were put on hold after an objection to the development was lodged with An Bord PleanΡla.
In September, Mayo County Council granted planning permission to An tSean Bheairic Beannchor Iorrais Teoranta to refurbish and extend the derelict Bingham Lodge in Bangor for use as a Community Centre.
However, objections to the development have been lodged by Bernard Doran of Shragraddy, Bangor Erris who claims the proposed development will be located just 7.5 metres from his private dwelling and will make his property ‘almost uninhabitable’.
The proposed development included the use of the building as a Community Centre with an entrance foyer, tea room, day room, community information room, drama and music room and a tourism office.
Mr Alan Lynskey, acting as agent for Mr Doran, said that no consultation took place with Mr Doran and ‘the result is a development that obstructs Mr Doran’s access to his house, interferes with Mr Doran’s peaceful enjoyment of his property, and creates a public space hidden from public view that has the potential to encourage anti-social behaviour outside Mr Doran’s front door’.
Mr Doran’s main objections included the ‘inappropriate’ location of the main entrance which is approximately 7 metres from his front door and windows to his living room; the lack of car parking; and the potential of the construction of the extension and elements of the landscaping to cut off all vehicular access to his house and sheds.
Mr Doran’s two-storey home is located to the west of the old garda station and faces the proposed new entrance with no fencing in between. In the submission to ABP, it was stated that Mr Doran was close to retirement and is refurbishing his property. He feels the development will encourage loitering and anti-social behaviour, and he has ‘huge concerns’ for his security.
He also stated that a right of way located at the rear of the old garda station is in favour of Mr Doran’s property and feels the development would obstruct vehicular access to his sheds.
The case is to be considered by ABP but a decision is not due until March 7, 2013.

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