Major setback for proposed Mayo GAA Centre of Excellence

The proposed Mayo Centre of Excellence on a site adjacent to Lough Lannagh in Castlebar is unlikely to proceed, The Connaught Telegraph has learned.

Club delegates will be informed at tonight's county board meeting that the site will not be able to accommodate the organisation's wishes to develop four playing pitches at the location.

This is because a significant portion of the 27-acre site is an Annex One habitat and is protected under strict EU environmental rules.

In effect, the habitat cannot be infringed by building works.

It is understood that, at best, only two playing pitches - located some distance apart - could be developed there.

But this number, it appears, would not meet the GAA's requirements for a centre of excellence facility.

While the proposal has not been ruled out by either of the project partners - Mayo GAA and Mayo County Council - it is in serious jeopardy.

The cost of purchasing the site is in the region of €500,000, a deposit of €20,000 having already being lodged with the landowner.

In the now unlikely event of a planning application being submitted, An Bord Pleanála would be the ruling body in respect of the development.

The prospect of Mayo County Council purchasing a portion of the site to pave the way for a Greenway extension has not been ruled out at this point as further discussions are planned.

An updated report on the proposed centre of excellence project was provided to elected members of Castlebar Municipal District at a workshop earlier today by senior council officials.