Castlebar councillors may seek judicial review in dispute with Minister

Castlebar councillors are to seek legal advice ahead of a potential judicial review of a decision to reject their Local Area Plan.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien came down on the side of the Office of the Planning Regular, which previously rubbished aspects of the plan.

Adjustments and submissions were made by councillors and council officials several weeks ago but these efforts have not been accepted. The Minister has issued a series of directives and rejected councillors' amendments.

The move has angered councillors who expressed their frustration at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District. Councillors are to seek legal advice with a view to mounting a judicial review over the decision.

“It’s a source of extra disappointment that the political process did not intervene in the best interests of the people of Castlebar,” said Cllr Al McDonnell.

Councillors contended that their plan allowed scope for additional housing for Castlebar but its rejection will scupper the future expansion and development of the town.

“The Minister clearly doesn’t want the population of Castlebar to expand at all,” said Cllr Kilcoyne, who argued that the planning regulator was working off outdated population figures for the town.

Cllr Donna Sheridan said the efforts by councillors and officials in devising and then amending the plan have been “thrown back in our face".

Cllr Blackie Gavin said the "Regulator and the Minister should hang their heads in shame".

John McMyler, Senior Planner with Mayo County Council, said he was also disappointed as he thought councilors had put forward a compelling compromise.

He said the ministerial direction is final but told councillors that the strategic residential reserve function is open to the council to provide additional lands if housing development is not progressing as hoped. Mr McMyler said a judicial review may only be successful if there has been a procedural mistake.