An Bord Pleanala give green light for all-weather centre on Achill Island

MAYO County Council has been granted permission by An Bord Pleanála to develop an all-weather centre for water-based activities located at Keel beach on Achill Island.

The all-weather centre which will consist of toilets, showers and changing rooms will be located on the site of the council owned Keel caravan park adjacent to Keel beach.

The single storey building will include three unisex toilets, five indoor shower rooms and an accessible washroom, as well as external showers, a plant room, electrical rooms and cleaners’ store. External seating and a bike parking/storage area is also proposed to be developed.

The proposed development forms part of Fáilte Ireland's 'Platforms for Growth' capital investment programme which is designed to support and improve facilities for visitor experience throughout Ireland.

In April 2021, Keel beach and Carrowmore beach near Louisburgh were chosen by Fáilte Ireland as the two Mayo locations to avail of national funding to develop state-of-the-art facilities for outdoor water-based activities.

The Department of Tourism and Fáilte Ireland announced an investment of €19 million for 22 facilities across Ireland with Keel and Carrowmore to each receive €650,000 in funding.

As the all-weather centre is located adjacent to the Keel Machair/Minaun Cliffs SAC which is a designated European site, Mayo County Council had to undertake a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and seek approval from An Bord Pleanála.

The submitted NIS concludes that subject to the implementation of the mitigation measures proposed, it is not envisioned that the proposed development will give rise to any significant adverse effects on any designated European sites either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

Submissions were received in relation to the potential impact of the development on the local protected habitat with one observer, Ms Dairine Walsh saying it will be a 'blot on the horizon'.

A submission was also received from Martin Calvey and Martina Calvey from Keel, through their agent Leahy Planning Ltd, regarding the ownership of the land where the facility will be developed.

They stated that the location of the proposed development is on commonage and Mayo County Council do not own the lands and there are no development rights without consent of the commonage shareholders. They added that while the area has been used for camping, the proposed development of a permanent structure will interfere with 'proper husbandry and management of sheep which have habitually grazed the area for several generations, with clear and immediate negative economic consequences'.

In addressing the submissions regarding ownership, Auriol Considine, Inspectorate with An Bord Pleanála accepted that the Local Authority appear to have been in control of the area for many years and that the fencing appears to have been in place, with regard to sectioning it off from the wider commonage area, for a number of years.

“I am generally satisfied therefore, that the Local Authority has sufficient legal interest in the site to make the planning application as proposed,” the inspector stated.

While acknowledging the concerns raised by third parties,the inspector considered the location to be acceptable and the proposed development would enhance the tourism and leisure offer for both visitors and residents alike.

Ms Considine concluded that the proposed development individually or in combination with other plans or projects would not adversely affect the integrity of either European site identified, including the Keel Machair/Minaun Cliffs SAC and recommended the Board approve the proposed development.

The Board of An Bord Pleanála agreed with the recommendation and granted permission for the development subject to eight planning conditions.