Councillors vote in favour of land sale to Mayo hotel
THE sale of land to a Westport hotel, which plans a significant investment in its business, has been approved by councillors.
Fifty extra bedrooms and underground parking for over 100 cars are proposed at the Wyatt Hotel, a meeting of Mayo County Council was told yesterday.
A protest about the sale and loss of green public space in Westport town centre was held outside the council's Castlebar's offices, with members of the local community also in the gallery for the meeting.
Inside the chamber, online misinformation about the sale was called out by elected representatives.
Councillor Johnny O'Malley proposed the matter be deferred until September to allow for consultation and communication with the community, saying there was a lack of information, but that idea was defeated 18-7 in a vote.
The subsequent proposal to approve the sale was carried, with 22 councillors in favour, three against, and three abstaining. All seven Westport-Belmullet Municipal District members voted in favour, as they did when the matter was before them at local level last month.
The point was made by Councillor Peter Flynn that development of the site will be subject to planning permission being obtained, where members of the public can have their say and have a right to appeal.
He also pointed out the zoning which applies to the land - town centre development.
Under the town council, it had been earmarked for new civic offices, which didn't proceed due to the convent site coming into the discussions.
This latest proposal, he said, was a step in the right direction, boosting tourist accommodation. And there was €280,000 to improve the playground, which the purchaser insisted on.
The council is selling 0.2671 Ha. at Church Street to Wyatt Hotel Unlimited, The Octagon. The sale price is €670,000 and, in addition the purchaser will provide a €280,000 contribution towards public amenities development.
Councillor Brendan Mulroy said they had to do what is right for the town, and he pointed out how the site has been problematic with anti-social behaviour.
As a child of the town who grew up in Westport, he resented being told that that he doesn't represent the youth and he knows how hard it is to get youth facilities.
Chief executive Kevin Kelly said the proper statutory process had been followed with the sale, with no public advertisement required in the legislation for any disposal.
He reiterated that there was nothing untoward in respect of the transaction.
In a scenario where they were getting full market value, a significant community gain with additional financial resources, parking and hotel bedroom space, to him was a 'no brainer' in terms of a proposal.
If no development is permitted, the ground will stay as it is.
Councillor O'Malley welcomed the clarification about the sale being advertised, saying it had been one of the most asked questions over the last weekend.
During the debate Councillors Flynn and Mulroy both called out some social media commentary surrounding the sale, which was described as 'nothing short of shocking' and in some instances libellous.
“There is no hidden deal here,” said Councillor Mulroy, with discussions with the Kavanagh family, who own the Wyatt Hotel, taking place over two years.
Councillor Flynn commented about the local family resource centre's campaign. He didn't receive a single call from the centre about what was planned or the history behind it, he said. Instead there was a social media campaign 'with a load of misinformation going into the public domain'.
Instead of this they should be sitting down together to try and find solutions, he said.