Mayo town to benefit from proposed facility

Mayo County Council have granted planning permission for the construction of a new Technology Centre in Claremorris.

The local authority has granted permission to Clár IRD for the proposed development of the technology centre, which will comprise offices, meeting rooms, a digital hub and a café, as well as all ancillary site works and services.

The proposed development is to be located on a 2.5-hectare greenfield site at Clare, Claremorris, located to the rear of the train station within a short distance of the town centre.

In making its final assessment, the council’s planning staff said the proposed project is acceptable in principal at this location "with regard to integration of land-use and sustainable modes of transport".

They said the development would provide for an employment hub for the technology and life sciences sector, adding that the overall proposal, which includes the installation of a footbridge to link the proposed development to the street and footpath at the front of the train station, is a good example of a well-connected and permeable location.

The land the proposed development is to be located on had been initially zoned for agricultural purposes.

County councillors in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District agreed to a material contravention of the County Development Plan at their last monthly meeting to allow the granting of planning permission to proceed.

Planning has been granted subject to a number of conditions.