Legal action initiated to tackle unauthorised Mayo residential site

LEGAL proceedings have been initiated by Mayo County Council against the developer of an unauthorised residential site which has sprung up in the past month along the N5 at Cloonkeen. Westport Road, Castlebar.

This was revealed by John McHale, acting head of Castlebar Municipal District, at a meeting attended by local residents who say they are dismayed and deeply concerned over the illegal development on their doorsteps.

The residents fear that long term the site will become an extensive traveller encampment.

An excavator has been at work in recent weeks clearing the site – which lies at the junction of the N5 and the Derrywash road – of trees, rocks and vegetation.

Speaking at yesterday's meeting of Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Al McDonnell (FF) strongly raised the issue of what he described as “unwelcome visitors” on a site where planning permission for a residential development has already been refused.

Councillor McDonnell went on to describe the ripped-out site as “an absolute, total mess.”

* See full story in our print issue next Tuesday morning.