Barrett calls for an investigation into Castlebar area plan

The failure to produce a proper local area plan (LAP) for Castlebar is a sign of "total incompetence" within the Castlebar Municipal District (MD).

That is according to Independent candidate Harry Barrett, who believes it is a "slap in the face" to young families in Castlebar waiting to purchase affordable housing.

Mr Barrett's comments comes after the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) instructed the members of Castlebar MD to adjust its LAP over "a failure" in its future housing strategy.

Mr Barrett believes that Mayo County Council has employed a "Celtic Tiger" plan for Castlebar.

"Where land is zoned in the wrong places, even in areas where there is a flood risk and not enough thought has been put into regenerating the town centre, which is the core of the County Development Plan for urban areas. This sets back housing provision in the county town," Mr Barrett said. "Town Centre regeneration is the main strategy for Castlebar and it seems that it wasn't given any real importance at all. It is totally unacceptable and this complaint features heavily in the criticism.

"All of this is very, very disappointing and a sign that the needs of a few were met and not the needs of many. It is a sign of incompetence and needs to be called out. Young families reading this will be very disappointed.

"Castlebar Municipal District has failed to plan for the biggest issue facing the people of the town: that is housing its young families and its people. What a sad joke," Mr Barrett concluded.