Mayo housing development is rejected
The apartment development has been refused planning permission.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has rejected a planning appeal for a contentious apartment development.
Mayo County Council previously refused planning permission for the project at the Pontoon Road/Turlough Road junction. There had been plans to build 19 apartments at the location.
A number of residents and local Independent councillors Michael Kilcoyne, Blackie Gavin, and Harry Barrett objected to the development.
Concerns were raised about over-development of the small corner site. It was argued that the excessive height and scale of the project were inconsistent and out of character with the established pattern of development in the area.
Cllr Kilcoyne raised parking concerns and said he feared the lack of parking provision could lead to indiscriminate parking, which could in turn hamper the HSE ambulance service located on the grounds of the nearby Sacred Heart Hospital.
Cllr Barrett said while there is a need for housing in the county town, the proposal, in its current form, presented "significant adverse impacts on local amenities, safety and the character of the area".
Cllr Gavin cited potential traffic hazards given the development's proposed location at a busy junction. He also expressed concern for elderly people and wheelchair users accessing the Sacred Heart Hospital.
The council decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála but the planning board agreed with the local authority’s orginal decision.
"It would constitute over-development of the site as the proposed density is excessive,” said the Commission.
The board added that in the absence of car parking, the project would be seriously deficient, thereby leading to conditions that would be prejudicial to public safety by reason of traffic hazard.
