Developer fails in bid to demolish former Mayo pub
The applicant failed in his bid to see a Mayo County Council decision overturned.
A proposal to demolish a former pub and construct a café restaurant and apartments has been rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The applicant Harold Conway lodged an appeal with the planning commission regarding the proposed development on James Street, Westport.
The former Nolan’s building is derelict and was previously a pub on the ground floor and residence above. Mr Conway’s proposed project would have involved the demolition of the existing public house and residential building and the construction of a new café-restaurant. The proposal also included a two-bed apartment on the first floor, a new shopfront, new roof lights and other associated and ancillary works.
Mayo Co Council rejected the development stating that it would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. It said it was located within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and would be contrary to the Local Area Plan (LAP), which aims to ensure the preservation of the special character of the ACA.
Council planners said the project would also contradict the LAP’s policy that encourages the renovation of existing buildings over demolition.
The applicant contended that a renovation would not achieve conservation aims and would have a negative effect on regeneration.
“The proposed living over the shop arrangement represents a planning gain for the area, day and night,” they argued.
In refusing planning permission to demolish the building, An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected the recommendations of its own inspector who felt the proposed development would be acceptable and would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area.
“I consider that, on balance, the approach of the applicant in seeking demolition and new build is justified," the inspector commented in a report.
However, An Coimisiún Pleanála ruled that the demolition of the entire structure would adversely impact on the historic integrity of the streetscape thereby diminishing the historic fabric of the building.
