Mayo housing project gets the go-ahead despite local objections
The board overruled one of its own inspectors and granted planning permission for the development.
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a Castlebar housing development despite some local objections and a recommendation by its inspector that the project should be refused.
The planning body has given the green light for the construction of four three-bed townhouses and a two-storey building comprising a pair of two-bed apartments at Turlough Road, Castlebar.
Under the proposal, the front façade of a former dwelling and a freestanding building will be demolished. The townhouses will be located in the north-eastern portion of the site, facing the Turlough Road. The apartment building will be sited in the north-western portion of the site and it, too, will face Turlough Road. This building will be of elongated form and its long side elevations will correspond with the length of the rear gardens to the neighbouring dwelling houses on the road. A new site access will be formed from the Turlough Road. The site access road will serve two car parks.
Mayo County Council previously granted permission for the development but the decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
There were objections to the project on the grounds of road safety, parking issues, privacy, pollution and noise, as well as concerns raised over the loss of mature oak trees.
An inspector with An Bord Pleanála recommended that the development be refused planning. However, the board overruled the recommendation.
“In deciding not to accept the inspector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the board decided that with regard to density that the proposal makes most effective use of the site.”
The board ruled that with regard to shared open spaces, on-site access arrangements, car parking space and surface water drainage, there was adequate information to decide that the development met the proper planning requirements and would enrich the character of the surrounding area.
