Decision on Portwest HQ planning appeal delayed

Anton McNulty

THE decision by An Bord PleanΡla on the planning appeal against Portwest’s new global headquarters at The Quay in Westport has been deferred due to a backlog in cases.
An Bord PleanΡla (ABP) were due to make their decision on the appeal on April 24 but the board indicated to Mayo County Council that they were not in a position to determine the appeal before this date.
In a letter to the local authority, Mark Kielty, Executive Officer with ABP stated that a backlog in cases was the reason for the delay, but priority consideration will be given to the case.
“The Board hopes to receive the Inspector’s report and recommendation on the appeal in the near future. Generally, as soon as the report and recommendation on the case has been received, the appeal file is sent to the Board for formal consideration. Most cases are decided within a short period of their being formally considered for the first time at Board level,” he wrote.
The appeal with An Bord PleanΡla was lodged in October 2018 after Mayo County Council granted planning permission for Portwest’s new €10 million global headquarters to be located on the site of the old Pollexfen Mills on Roman Island at The Quay, Westport.