Planning granted for 23-unit development in west Mayo town

Mayo County Council has granted planning permission to construct a housing development consisting of 23 units in Westport.

Planning permission was granted to Hill Development Ltd to construct 23 apartments located in five two-storey terraced buildings on a 1.1 acre site at Horkans Hill in Westport. 

The Belmullet-based developers had originally proposed to develop 16 three and two-bedroom duplex apartments and eight three-bedroom town houses on the site which is next to the Sports Park. 

However, planners for Mayo County Council expressed concerns regarding the design of the two duplex blocks which were to house the 16 apartments. 

In correspondence with Limerick-based architect, Brian Ahern, Mayo County Council planners expressed concern that the two duplex blocks were of an excessive size and scale relative to the surrounding area.

“Horkans Hill with its excessively steep gradient is considered a prominent location in Westport town. Mayo County Council is of the opinion that the physical over dominance of the duplex structures would visually alter the urban landscape on Horkan's Hill,” the planners stated.

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The applicant was advised to revisit the proposed design and replace the duplex units with two storey terraced units 'more in keeping with the character of Horkans Hill'.

Revised designs were submitted to Mayo County Council which consisted of five two-storey terraced buildings and the total number of units was reduced from 24 to 23.

Three of the terraced buildings are each to consist of five two-storey apartments while two other buildings are each to consist of four three-bedroom apartments.

As a result of the revised design, planning permission was granted for the development subject to 19 planning conditions.