West Mayo retail/accommodation project ruled 'out of character' in rural area

A PROPOSED mixed use development - retail unit, work hub, and four 2-bed apartments - at Cloonlaur, Killadoon P.O., Westport, has been rejected by council planners.

The development was proposed to provide a community hall for local residents as well as tourist accommodation for visitors along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The site is adjacent to Killeen Church and across the road from Killeen Graveyard. Killeen community playground is close by and there are also several existing houses nearby.

In refusing planning permission, Mayo County Council said, given the location, in an unserviced rural area, the proposed development would be out of character in this rural area. It would seriously injure the amenities of the area and of property in the vicinity and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It would also set an undesirable precedent for similar multi-unit type developments outside of designated settlements identified in the county development plan's core strategy and would, both by itself and the precedent it would set, militate against the preservation of the rural environment, lead to demands for the uneconomic provision of public services and communal facilities, would contribute to the erosion of the visual and environmental amenity of the area, and would interfere with the character of the landscape at this location which it is necessary to preserve.

The applicants for the project were Michael F. and Rita O’Malley.