Mayo councillors agree planning for development of Westport convent

Westport councillors have called for more age friendly accommodation to be developed in town centres to free up large houses for young families.

Members of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District approved the Part 8 planning application for the development consisting of the renovation Convent of Mercy building in Westport to provide 18 'Age Friendly' apartments in the old church and sacristy.

The development was welcomed by local councillors who expressed delight that progress was now taking place to develop the old convent which has been vacant for a number of years.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn who had been critical at the pace of progressing the convent project said it was a significant day and looked forward to work taking place. He added that he hopes that developers will look at developing similar age friendly accommodation in the future.

“It is amazing the amount of people in their retirement years who are living in large three, four or five bedroom houses on the outskirts of town who are looking for smaller units closer to the town centre. In my view this model is something we should be aspiring to not just from a council perspective but also from a private development perspective. We [should] try to attract more people in their retirement years into the town centres and free up the bigger houses for families and make them more affordable.

“I really hope this type of message spreads throughout the county and we see more of this type of development happening because it is absolutely critical to the whole evolution of our county,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brendan Mulroy added he was glad to see the council in 'election mode' and that projects are being progressed before election day in June.

“This is a good news story for Westport which has taken a hell of a lot of years. When we left the town council in 2014 it was very much on the agenda and a lot of people have been involved in it. I want to thank everyone involved.

“From a housing aspect it is something that should be delivered not just in Westport and Mayo. That type of housing is what's needed going into the future along with social and affordable housing. This is a good news story and I want to put on record my thanks for everyone involved,” he said.