'Good news' for Mayo town following approval of plans for new homes

Plans for 28 new homes on Convent Road, Claremorris, have received official approval from Mayo County Council, marking a significant boost to local housing supply and town development.

The project, located to the rear of and adjacent to Jay’s shop, will deliver a mix of 14 three-bedroom semi-detached houses, six four-bedroom detached units and eight two-bedroom townhouses. The 1.2-hectare greenfield site had previously been zoned as Strategic Residential Reserve Tier 1, but a material contravention of the Mayo County Development Plan was approved by members of the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District earlier this month, clearing the way for construction to proceed.

Applicant Shane Macken initially sought permission to build 31 homes, including six one-bedroom apartments, on lands owned by Cathal and Tom O’Dea. However, the design was later revised after planners expressed concern that the original proposal did not fully reflect the town’s housing priorities.

While three submissions were made on the development - citing issues such as traffic safety, privacy and pedestrian access - the revised layout was ultimately described by planners as offering “a good housing mix” that would “provide much-needed residential units in Claremorris town”.

The Convent Road site, positioned close to the town centre and adjoining lands zoned as the town centre outer core, was also commended as “a good example of a well-connected and permeable location”. Council officials highlighted the development’s proximity to local services and its potential to strengthen the residential core of the town.

During the planning process, local authority planners also encouraged greater visual interest in the design, advising that the original layout “lacked innovation” and that the proposed 1,800mm block walls were “not an appropriate design feature”. The final proposal incorporated these recommendations, resulting in a more cohesive and attractive scheme.

In granting permission, the council attached 22 conditions, including the installation of public street lighting and adequate road markings. It also requested that the new development be given a name reflecting the townland or a distinctive feature of the area, which is a welcome condition.

Other conditions, standard in this type of proposal, include a requirement to provide a number of units for social and affordable housing, and that the developer meets the requirements of Section 47 of the Planning Act, which can prevent a developer from selling all the units to a single institutional buyer, to ensure a mix of individual and long-term rental properties are available.

Claremorris has a target of 182 new homes under the Mayo County Development Plan 2022–2028. The addition of 28 new homes on Convent Road represents an important step toward meeting those goals - and a welcome investment in the future of the town.

The news has been welcomed by community and political leaders from the area. IRD chairperson Seamus McCormack told the Western People that his organisation would be happy with any increase in the housing stock of the town.

“This is a regional town and anything that makes it possible for more and more people to live in the town is always good news,” he said. “We have great facilities in the town and we look forward to the opening of the Western Rail Corridor section linking Athenry to Claremorris, which will help grow the town significantly over the next decades and beyond.”

Cllr Alma Gallagher said it was great to see additional houses being built in the town.

“It was a long time in the pipeline, and I’m delighted to see it come to fruition. I’ve worked with the developers for some time and I was very honoured to propose at the Municipal District meeting for a material contravention of the Town Development Plan to facilitate the building of these houses. I know a lot of work went into getting this through.

“There’s more units coming on stream all the time. I think that the private investment in Claremorris is fantastic news and it’s great to see more development happening.”