Reasons for rejection of 65 new Mayo homes is explained by council

Mayo County Council has explained why it has refused planning permission for a major housing development in Castlebar.

The proposal by Comhair Developments Limited to construct 65 dwellings on a site at Carrowncurry, Pontoon Road, in the town was rejected for two main reasons.

The council's first concern related to the fact the development would be located on an elevated, prominent site which ‘would be obtrusive due to the excessive cut required, changes in site levels and the retaining wall systems proposed’.

The council's ruling continued: “Therefore, the development would interfere with the character of the landscape which is necessary to preserve and would be contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

In its second reason for refusal, the council said the project ‘represents a monotonous, repetitive type of development, is sub-standard in terms of design and layout and fails to comply with the principles of the sustainable residential development in urban areas guidelines’.

As a result, the council planners added, it would depreciate the value of property in the vicinity and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.