Mayo developer appeals planning refusal for Castlebar apartment development

A Mayo developer has appealed a decision by Mayo County Council to refuse planning permission for a housing development in Castlebar.

Developer Harold Conway has lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála the decision by Mayo County Council to turn down his application to develop the former Coal Bunker site at the junction of the Pontoon and Turlough roads in Castlebar into apartments.

Mr Conway had applied to develop the 637 square metre brown field site to construct 19 apartments consisting of ten two-bed and nine one-bed apartments in a part-four and part-five story building.

In the planning application, Fintan Morrin of The Planning Partnership, on behalf of Mr Conway stated that the development of a housing scheme on the subject site would be a positive outcome for the Pontoon / Turlough Road area, and Castlebar as a whole, and for the many households seeking accommodation in the area.

A number of local residents raised concerns regarding the proposed development with 17 third party submissions lodged with Mayo County Council objecting to the development. The objectors included three sitting local councillors, Michael Kilcoyne, Blackie Gavin and Harry Barrett, who all raised concerns over the lack of parking associated with the proposed development.

Other concerns lodged with Mayo County Council surrounded the impact it will have on adjacent homeowners, as well as the height of the building and it would be unsuitable for the location.

In the planning report outlining the reasons for refusal, the local authority planners cited that the site is currently zoned for enterprise and employment and that a development for residential use is not normally permitted on these lands.

The design of the building was also raised by the planners who stated that the proposed development in terms of its density, scale and height is 'incongruous in its context and out of character with the surrounding building and streets'.

“The physical over dominance of the structure would visually alter the urban landscape at this location,” the planners wrote.

The proposed development was also considered to be overdevelopment of the site by the planners which would lead to overshadowing of neighbouring properties while inadequate car parking and traffic safety was also cited as a reason for refusal.

The planners also stated in the planning report that the applicant was informed in preplanning that the development would be recommended for refusal but he failed to make contact with the planning authority to discuss the proposal.

Planning for the application was refused on July 25 but the applicant lodged an appeal against the decision with An Bord Pleanála on August 19. The case is due to be decided by the end of December.