Mayo housing project rejected

An Bord Pleanala has rejected planning permission for a 47-home Mayo development.

Mayo County Council previously granted planning for the project at Friarscourt, Laghtadawannagh, on the Killala Road in Ballina.

The local authority’s decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by the Friarscourt Residents Association.

The site is located within a predominantly residential area and there are a number of housing estates in the vicinity, including The Hawthorns (north), and Woodville and Castlefield Manor (east). Leigue Cemetery is located to the south of the appeal site.

The proposed project would have seen the construction of 11 four-bedroom detached houses, 30 three bedroom semi-detached houses and 6 two bedroom semi-detached houses.

The residents association expressed concerns regarding increased traffic through Friarscourt; parking issues; traffic safety; lack of public amenity areas; and access issues. Residents argued that there was a potential danger to children due to access to the development through Friarscourt.

However, it was the potential impact on special areas of protection and conservation that caused the development to fall foul with An Bord Pleanala. “On the basis of the information submitted with the planning application/appeal documentation and the Natura Impact Statement, the Board cannot be satisfied that the proposed development individually, or in combination with other plans or projects would not be likely to have a significant effect on Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC, Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SPA or River Moy SAC, or any other European site, in view of the site’s conservation objectives. In such circumstances, the Board is precluded from granting permission,” the Inspector commented.

Concerns were raised by An Bord Pleanala about potential run-off into Scruffaunbrogue stream during a flood event.