'Ridiculous' planning decision slammed by Mayo Cllr
The Mayo County Council decision has been sharply criticised. Picture: iStock
An ‘outrageous’ decision to refuse planning permission for a young Mayo couple has come in for sharp criticism.
Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Al McDonnell raised the matter at the District’s monthly meeting.
Cllr McDonnell said a young people had sought planning for the construction of a home in an area between Manulla and Ballyvary.
“An area deemed to be, but not in my opinion, under urban pressure,” said the Fianna Fail councillor.
He said the couple sought to build on farmland which has an old ruined house on the site.
Cllr McDonnell said planners ruled the ruin was never a house before showing the meeting a photograph of the ruin which clearly showed the structure of a house.
He said planners decided that a couple with two young children “had no housing need.” “How ridiculous is that?” Cllr McDonnell said he wants the situation to be fully investigated. “This planning application will be re-applied for,” he stated.
Meanwhile, councillors decided to defer making a decision on a project that seeks to change the building facade of the Annex building at Aras an Chontae.
The proposal will include an alteration of the façade from metal cladding to a rendered and painted finish at the county council headquarters.
The matter was the subject of a Part 8 consultation process with no public submissions lodged.
The project came before local councillors but they deferred their decision until certain matters are ironed out.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said he would like to see breakdown of the cost of the works.
The project is part of the overall €3.5m revamp of the local authority’s HQ but no specific figures for the Annex works were available.
Councillors also argued that the Annex was always meant to be a temporary location for Castlebar Municipal District and they require an update on what meaningful plans are in place for their civic space.
"Is this project regularising things and making her our permanent home?" asked Cllr Kilcoyne. "Where are are in the back of the main building is not suitable for the District," added Cllr Donna Sheridan. "Here we are in a back room above the canteen," stated Cllr Blackie Gavin.
Cllr Gavin said funding for the long-awaited climbing wall at Lough Lannagh should be prioritised and raised before proceeding with the Annex works.
