Council given green light to advance Westport Convent project

The Department of Community and Rural Development have given the green light to Mayo County County Council to proceed to tender for the development of the old Westport Convent.

An update on the development of the former Westport Convent of Mercy site was outlined to councillors at the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District meeting on Monday.

Funding of up to €9 million was announced for the redevelopment of the convent site in April 2021 but there has been fears locally that with the increase in construction costs may scupper the project.

Westport-based councillor Peter Flynn raised the matter of the convent at the meeting and asked the Director of Services, Catherine McConnell if the Department of Community and Rural Development are still committed to the project.

Ms McConnell explained that the department is aware of the increased cost of the project but are happy to proceed.

“Last Thursday we had a meeting with the department and were fully aware of our estimated upwards on costs and they gave us the understanding that we should proceed to tender and what will come after tender is really what will be the estimated costs. They are well aware the costs have gone well beyond what original costs were.

“They are very much supportive of the project and we have a huge amount of work done for the preparation of documents. We believe it will be with the department and we will get the green light to go to tender before the end of February,” she explained.

The update was welcomed by Cllr Flynn who said he fears the real cost of the project will rise to €15 million based on inflation and result in more delays.

“That is good news and it is important we have that positive engagement with the department and it is not the case of saying we did not see this [rise in costs] coming,” he said.

The convent site was bought by Mayo County Council in 2008 and is currently in a state of disrepair and has attracted vandals and anti-social behaviour. It is proposed that the council will convert the old school on Altamount Street into civic offices and community building along with the construction of a new library to the side of the building.

It is also proposed to have a housing scheme on the convent site and Cllr Flynn asked if the housing agency, Tuath, were also committed to the project.

Ms McConnell said the news was also positive regarding the housing scheme as the department had sanctioned the funding and she believes the Part 8 planning process will happen quickly.