Bank of Ireland granted permission for second ATM at Mayo branch

AN Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to Bank of Ireland for a second ATM at its branch in Castlebar after agreeing to a change in its location.

Bank of Ireland had applied for planning permission for an additional ATM adjacent to its existing ATM on the front of its Castlebar branch building on Ellison Street.

This would involve alterations to an existing window and the removal of a section of existing stonework plinth which raised concerns with the planning department of Mayo County Council as the building is a protected structure.

Planning was subsequently refused on the grounds it would be contrary to Architectural Heritage Protection guidelines and contrary to the local area plan regarding the protection of protected structures.

Bank of Ireland appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála stating that the decision of the planning authority was unreasonable and the decision to refuse could have been addressed by way of a request for further information.

Mr Daragh Ryan Inspector with ABP stated he agreed with the findings of the planning authority having regard to impact of the development on the protected structure.

However as part of the appeal Bank of Ireland revised its plans and instead submitted drawings to install the new ATM within the existing door opening on the easternmost portion of the structure.

He explained that an accompanying architectural impact assessment indicates that this proposal would not result in the loss of any original fabric, but would involve the removal of a single hardwood door, which was a later addition. The door which was once the entrance to the bank manager's residence is now disused.

Mayo County Council was invited to comment on the appeal documentation but no response was received.

Mr Ryan found that the new location of the proposed ATM will comply with Architectural Heritage Protection guidelines and not impact negatively upon the character of a protected structure and recommended that planning be approved.

The Board of ABP granted planning permission for the development subject to three conditions.