Transfer of HSE-owed lands in Mayo to council being progressed

Elected member of Mayo County Council have been given an updated report on talks with the HSE over the proposed transfer of lands to the authority at Knockaphunta, Westport Road, Castlebar.

They have been informed that the HSE have plans for some further development at the location - and there is a long-standing objective by the council to develop recreation and amenity facilities on the transferred lands.

There is currently some information being considered on issues such as traffic and servicing, zoning and flood risk as well as the possible configuration of the lands to be transferred.

It is anticipated there will be a further meeting with the HSE in the coming weeks and it is expected that the council will be moving towards a position of having all matters sufficiently clarified to allow the transfer to be progressed, the report stated.

Once the lands are in the council's ownership, attention will turn to the possible uses of the land and the approach to managing any facilities located there, councillors have been informed.

The development of the lands, within close proximity to St. Anthony's School and Mayo Hospice, can only be undertaken in the context of receiving significant grant assistance, the report has also pointed out.

The site had been earmarked some years ago for the development of playing pitches and an athletic track as part of phase two of the Castlebar swimming pool project.