Planning approved for Mayo apartment project

An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead for an apartment development in Belmullet.

The planning authority ruled on the proposal to convert two commercial units into two apartments at Lower Barrack Street, The Docks.

The site comprises a four-storey apartment building along a line of similar buildings as viewed from the harbour side. The appeal site refers to the relatively recently constructed apartment side of the building block, and specifically two vacant commercial properties at ground/harbour side level.  

Mayo County Council granted planning permission but this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by a third party. The appellant raised concerns that the land between properties is not in the ownership and claimed inaccurate drawings have been used to delineate property ownership lines.

An Bord Pleanála inspectors said Mayo County Council took into account the third party’s concerns when it came to ownership issues and required property ownership information to be clarified. The applicant duly submitted information to the planning authority.

“From the information available to me on the file, it is very clear that a significant disagreement exists between appellant and applicant, and each party strongly believes the other is incorrect with reference to the ownership of the narrow portion of land between buildings,” An Bord Pleanála added.

The Board said where a dispute regarding sufficient interest goes to issues that the Board is not competent to resolve, then the Board can still grant planning permission.