Major housing scheme in Mayo is granted permission
An Bord Pleanala have granted planning permission for the construction of 81-dwellings on the outskirts of Westport.
Mayo County Council granted planning permission to Carrabaun Developments Ltd for the proposed development located at Carrabaun, Westport in late August 2023. The proposed development comprises 19 four-bed detached houses, 14 three-bed semi-detached houses, 24 terraced houses and 24 apartment units. Additional works included landscaping, a vehicular entrance, footpaths, cycle and pedestrian connections and other associated works.
An appeal of this decision was made to An Bord Pleanala and their planning inspector said that the substantive issues raised by objectors included zoning and density, roads, design and other matters.
The Pleanala inspector recommended that planning for this proposed development be refused. They said that the proposed density of the scheme, 22 dwellings per hectare, would represent ‘an inappropriately low density and would be an inefficient use of zoned and serviced residential lands.
They added that the current guidelines for these developments recommended that between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare should be applied at suburban locations such as Carrabaun. Therefore, they said the proposed dwelling would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
However, An Bord Pleanala did not accept the Inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission for the proposed development. They said that under the same guidelines cited by the Inspector, there is provision to tailor policy on density to local circumstances.
They said the scheme provides for a mix of housing in an area where one-off housing is the dominant type of housing. Pleanala said in the context of the location of the proposed development, the proposed density would be considered appropriate. Therefore, the proposed development would not seriously injure the character of the area or the residential amenities of nearby property in the area.
An Bord Pleanala granted planning permission for the proposed development subject to a number of conditions.
