Mayo veterinary clinic plans approved by appeals board

PLANS for a veterinary clinic in Westport have received the thumbs up from An Bord Pleanála.

Tom Fabby's proposal to build the clinic at Carrowbaun was approved by Mayo County Council, and that decision has now been upheld following an appeal.

Issues of concern raised in observations included traffic, flooding, zoning, safety and noise.

An inspector with the appeals board recommended that planning permission should be refused. They stated that the vehicular entrance is located less than 200 metres from a junction with the N59 and would not comply with minimum distances set out in the county development plan. Also, the additional traffic would endanger public safety by traffic hazard and obstruction of road users.

In not accepting the inspector's recommendation, the appeals board concurred with the council, noting the district engineer raised no issue in relation to traffic hazard.

It considered the proposed use was appropriate in this rural setting and while the proximity to the junction didn't accord with the minimum distance for 'other development', it did accord with the required distance for a housing development greater than one unit.

Taken in conjunction with the district engineer's assessment, the setting in close proximity to a petrol station, the roadside set back, the board concluded that subject to conditions, the proposal was acceptable and sustainable development.