Appeal lodged over refusal for 19 apartments in Mayo town
Mayo County Council previously rejected the proposal.
A Mayo County Council decision to refuse an apartment development has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
The local authority rejected a proposal for the apartment project at the site of a former coal storage yard in Castlebar.
The council refused planning for the project at the Pontoon Road/Turlough Road junction. There had been plans to build 19 apartments at the location.
A number of residents and local Independent councillors Michael Kilcoyne, Blackie Gavin, and Harry Barrett objected to the development.
Concerns were raised about over-development of the small corner site. It was argued that the excessive height and scale of the project were inconsistent and out of character with the established pattern of development in the area.
Cllr Kilcoyne raised parking concerns and said he feared the lack of parking provision could lead to indiscriminate parking, which could in turn hamper the HSE ambulance service located on the grounds of the nearby Sacred Heart Hospital.
Cllr Barrett said while there is a need for housing in the county town, the proposal, in its current form, presented "significant adverse impacts on local amenities, safety and the character of the area".
Cllr Gavin cited potential traffic hazards given the development's proposed location at a busy junction. He also expressed concern for elderly people and wheelchair users accessing the Sacred Heart Hospital.
The decision has now been appealed to An Bord Plenanála with a ruling due by December 23 next.
