Green light for new access road at Mayo housing estate

A housing estate in Swinford has been granted a new access road following an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

The development consists of an access road connecting Rathdubh, in Kilbride, to the old Cullane Road, which is a cul de sac.

Mayo County Council had rejected the proposal by Frescobol Holdings Ltd.

The applicant submitted that the proposed access has better sightlines than the current access, is a quieter road and a safer option.

A number of submissions were made, including that the access would give rise to traffic safety issues from an increase in traffic using the old Cullane Road, which is busy due to an adjoining filling station, with parked up trucks frequently reducing the road width.

It was suggested that the current access arrangement represents the safest option, being within the 50 km/h limit and with excellent sightlines, whereas the Old Cullane Road exits onto the N26 at a location where the speed limit is 60 - 80 km/h and where there are obstructions to visibility.

An inspector with An Bord Pleanála recommended that planning permission be refused. However, the board disagreed with that recommendation and gave the go-ahead.

Subject to conditions it set out, the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of residential properties by overlooking, and would not endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.

It would not lead to additional traffic movements and any redistribution of traffic would not be material and could be accommodated safely on the new road and on the wider existing network without any adverse effect.