Council planners ‘stymying’ major Castlebar project

A councillor has accused Mayo County Council of putting unnecessary obstacles in the path of a multi-million euro Castlebar development.

The planning application, by the Mall Syndicate and owners of a site at Rock Square in the heart of the town centre, consists of 66 residential/apartment units and a 104-bed nursing home which can be altered to accommodate more residential units if required.

Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne told a meeting of Mayo County Council that the project is being “stymied” by council planners.

He said the developers have paid in the region of €200,000 in architects’ fees and have become “bogged down” in what he believes are unnecessary and convoluted requests for further information from the local authority.

Cllr Kilcoyne said the council does not believe 74 parking spaces are enough at a time when the Government is encouraging town centres to be car-free.

“This is despite the fact a public car park is located at the front of the proposed building and will be empty at the time when visitors are most likely to come. I am also told the planners don’t like the nursing home idea.

“The developers have grown very frustrated and are wondering why they are bothering at all.

“I am extremely concerned we are going to lose this investment,” he remarked before adding: “You would be better off setting up tents in the car park than building accommodation.”

Cllr Kilcoyne called for a site visit to take place so that issues can be addressed.

He was backed by fellow Castlebar councillor, Blackie Gavin, who said a “golden opportunity” for development could be missed.

However, the council’s Director of Services Catherine McConnell pointed out that this was a commercial venture and she felt the council’s requests to the developer have been reasonable and “straight-forward”.

The local authority’s chief executive Kevin Kelly added that all the asks were “answerable”.