Pleanála refuse planning application for Ballyheane bacon factory

PleanΡla refuse planning application for Ballyheane bacon factory


A WELL-known Mayo pork producer has been refused planning permission to develop a bacon processing unit after An Bord PleanΡla ruled the development would be prejudicial to public health.
The application made by Clare Joyce of Joyce’s Irish Lean Country Bacon Ltd was for the retention and completion of three commercial structures at the rear of the site at Cornaveagh, Ballyheane, Castlebar, for meat processing. These included the use of a freezer/chill storage unit, a process area unit and office/staff facility unit.
The site was the original location for the meat factory when the company was founded in 1984 before they moved to a larger location on the Moneen Industrial Estate. Mayo County Council had granted planning for the development, but the decision was appealed by the NRA because the site entrance was located outside the 60km per hour zone on the N84.
The Bord PleanΡla inspector, Dolores McCague considered that the development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and recommended refusal.
When the application came before the board, they did not refuse planning on traffic grounds but felt the proposal development had not made sufficient provision for adequate disposal of waste that may arise. They felt the proposal would therefore be injurious to public health and refused planning permission.
The site was first granted planning permission for an abattoir and chill room in which processing of bacon products was carried out in 1983. The processing of bacon products ceased there in 1998 when the operation moved to a larger facility in Castlebar.
The premises was used for the making and production of kitchens by Abbey Kitchens in 1999, which ceased production at the site in 2008. However, another operator continued to produce kitchens at the premises. The use has now reverted back to the processing of bacon products.
Mayo County Council initially granted planning permission after it stated the development would not lead to an increase in traffic generated over and above the existing bacon processing operation.
The NRA appealed the decision stating the ‘proposed development will inevitably increase traffic movements onto and off the N84 and is at variance with official policy’.
In response, the applicant stated that the access point is 30 metres outside the 60km/h speed sign and it was ‘highly unlikely that vehicles will accelerate from 60km/h in 30 metres’. They also stated that the ‘future of the business depends on locating at this site and they consider that it is of significant domestic importance’.
While the board noted the Inspector’s reasons for refusal they considered it did not have sufficient information to conclude that the proposal would represent an intensification of traffic generated from the site over what had existed historically.