Mayo skate park gets green light despite residents' concerns
The Castlebar Skate Park has been given the go-ahead.
Castlebar councillors have voted to give the green light to a skate park development despite some objections from local residents.
Residents from St Patrick’s Avenue addressed a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District on the issue. Their homes are 100 metres away from the proposed park located close to the entrance of Lough Lannagh. Maura Lavelle told the meeting that residents were not opposed to a skate park for Castlebar but did not feel the location was the most suitable.
She said residents had “grave concerns” about noise, anti-social behaviour and possible road safety issues, given its location close to a main road.
“We have nothing against the skaters; it's more the people it will attract afterwards,” said the St Patrick’s Avenue homeowner.
Ms Lavelle said she did not believe that other areas of Lough Lannagh were properly explored by the council.
Cllr Blackie Gavin asked if the Knockaphunta site which is being developed for sporting amenities by the council could be looked at.
“It’s very important we take people’s views on board before a decision is made,” he stated.
“I am in favour of the project and I support the proposal but at a different location,” Cllr Michael Kilcoyne added.
Cllr Al McDonnell said he looked at Westport’s skate park and found no noise issues for residents. He said he can’t see noise issues for St Patrick’s Avenue residents given the presence of the busy main road.
Head of Castlebar Municipal District, David Mellett, told councillors that a change of location would see €120,000 in funding which has to be spent on Phase One of the project by November go up in smoke. He said other sites had been looked at but the proposed location was deemed the most suitable. He said it was important that younger users would not be left isolated in the park.
Cllr Kilcoyne proposed granting Part 8 approval for the project but at a different location. However, he was only supported by Cllr Gavin following a vote. The project in its current form will now proceed.
