Mayo councillor suggests removing SAC to facilitate Westport marina

A Mayo councillor has requested that a Special Area of Conservation located close to Westport Quay be removed to facilitate a marina.

Westport-based councillor Brendan Mulroy made the request at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District as he felt the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) close to The Point at Westport Quay may hamper the development of a marina at the location.

READ: West Mayo all-weather beach facilities to be completed in 2026

“Whatever we think about it being a SAC area, at the moment we don't think that there is anything out there ...not even jelly fish come in there anymore. We are wondering if that SAC title could be taken off it as it would lead it to being a lot easier getting planning permission in the future in relation to the marina,” he said.

An ambitious plan to develop a marina at Westport Quay has been proposed by local stakeholders which will include the dredging of the lagoon area south of Roman Island to develop a multi-berth accessible-all-tides marina and 40 acres of recreational water. There are also plans to install a sea lock at the west end of the harbour.

Last year, local stakeholders held talks with Minister Jack Chambers when he visited Westport to officially turn the sod on the new Westport Coast Guard Station which is also located at the Quay.

Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions (GDG) were commissioned to complete a review of the environmental and commercial implications of a marina at Westport Quay and as expected, regulatory and environmental challenges were identified which will require further investigation to ensure all potential issues are addressed.

Westport Quay is part of the Clew Bay Complex SAC and any development within the SAC has to involve extensive environmental studies to ensure habitat is not negatively affected.

Tom McDonnell, Regional Coordinator for Climate Action with Mayo County Council told Cllr Mulroy that while he is not an ecologist, he anticipated that reducing an SAC would be a 'fairly significant process' which would 'probably need European approval'.