Major fears over Mayo town centre investment plan are allayed for now

Fears that Covid-19 had cost Castlebar town centre a multi-million euro investment have been allayed for now.

Plans approved by Mayo County Council for a new restaurant and commercial unit on the former Lavelle's Bakery site at Main Street are still alive, The Connaught Telegraph can confirm.

Two companies, headed by local businessmen Dermot Fadden and Ivan Carroll, were granted planning permission in May 2016 after lodging separate applications.

Risk Free Fashion Limited, headed by Mr. Fadden, received the green light to build 801 sq.m. of retail space over three storeys to house the flagship store of his Sixth Sense men’s fashion brand.

He has outlets in Athlone, Limerick, Clonmel, Portlaoise and Newbridge as well as at Breaffy Road in Castlebar.

Changevale Limited, owned by Mr. Carroll, got the go-ahead to convert the former Lavelle’s Bakery stone building into a spacious restaurant with access from Mill Street carpark and Linenhall Street.

The concept is based on the Bayleaf Restaurant at Horkan’s Garden Centre, Turlough.

However, the projects did not proceed as expected five years ago due to an appeal lodged to An Bord Pleanála in respect of a gable being created at Linenhall Street.

But when that matter was resolved in the investors' favour, economic uncertainty following the outbreak last year of Covid-19 resulted in the proposal being put on hold for a second time.

This forced both businessmen to seek extensions of their applications under Section 42 of the Planning and Development Act.

Now the planning department of the council has announced its decision to extend the time when building works can start until May 24, 2026.

The developments, should they proceed, will significantly transform the lower end of Main Street and be adjacent to a section of the new urban greenway extension for the town.