Council asked to 'show some fairness' to develop Westport Cap Factory

A DEVELOPER has asked Mayo County Council to 'show some fairness' and not 'waste time and money' having to use a conservation architect to renovate a derelict building in Westport into a hostel.

Brendan Power has applied to Mayo County Council to convert the old Cap Factory Building in the centre of Westport into a 13 bedroom hostel. The vacant building located between Bridge Street and James Street has been derelict since it closed in the 1980s and is within the Architectural Conservation Area.

Mr Power has been seeking to develop the building for the last number of years without success. An application in 2021 to develop apartments and a work unit in the old Cap Factory were turned down by both Mayo County Council and An Bord Pleanála.

In giving their reasons for refusing the application, the council cited a lack of private amenity space which would not comply with the minimum standards for new apartment guidelines.

In the new application, Simon O'Dowd, architect with Ros Cheide Design & Construct on behalf of Mr Power, requested that the planning authority 'show some fairness and acknowledge the major additional costs and delays' which would be involved if Mr Power 'was forced to treat this building like a Protected Structure'.

“We propose that a heritage specialist conservation architect is unnecessary and would waste time and money for Mr Power. Council officials and the planning authority may ideally like to see this building restored in accordance with a conservation architect’s specification but that would not be practical.

“With the various delays with this renovation investment so far and the inflation of building costs, having the derelict building renovated and occupied at all will be extremely expensive,” Mr O'Dowd wrote.

He also noted that while both Mayo County Council and An Bord Pleanála refused permission for the apartments neither stated that ‘architectural heritage’ was a reason.

Mr Power's architect team also argued that the reasons for refusing planning for the apartments do not apply with a hostel as the people staying will not be permanent residents and not have the same demands.

The application also cited the renovation by Mr Power of an old mill in Ballisodare in Co Sligo into a pub and restaurant having been derelict for a number of years. This building had been on the Protected Structures list but was removed to encourage development.

“He [Mr Power] notes that on that project there was no request for a conservation architect’s specification or method statement. That building is an occupied structure and thriving business today. Mr Power hopes Mayo County Council can have the same practical approach with the Cap Factory,” the application stated, adding that this investment is now providing employment and is boosting the tourism and hospitality sectors in Sligo.

Mr O'Dowd stated his client wished to provide similar investment to Westport and asked the planning authority not to insist on a conservation architect for the building.

“Renovating and occupying a currently dilapidated town centre building is a difficult and expensive task. We hope the Planning Authority and the Westport business community can recognise the wider value of this to Westport and be supportive to Mr Power.

“Every month that goes by with the Cap Factory’s renovation being delayed, by either the Planning Authority or objectors, is denying Westport town of investment and job creation. We would respectfully ask that Mayo County Council take a practical approach regarding our points outlined in this report and that they would assist and encourage Mr Power to proceed with this venture,” the application stated.