Green light for new commercial project at busy Mayo retail park site

Mayo County Council has granted planning permission for a significant commercial development at Barcasatle Retail Park in Castlebar.

The proposal by Mulroy Contractors Limited includes a café and retail showrooms on the ground floor and offices on the upper floor.

It also consists of car parking facilities, landscaping, signage, internal road realignment and use of the existing entrance from Lawn Road, all necessary and associated site works and connections to public services at the location.

Improvement works to the existing junction entrance at Lawn Road are also proposed.

A quality audit report submitted with the application said the objective of the proposed development is to turn a vacant derelict site into a modern focal point of the Barcastle Industrial Estate - "highlighting the direction the Castlebar Town is on."

Improved active travelling facilities will to enhance the journey experience for locals - in particular vulnerable road users (VRUs) – visitors and commuters with the improvements to the existing junction near MacHale Park.

"The planned facilities will hopefully encourage a model shift and increase mobility for all users as they make their way to the proposed development," the audit outlined.

The proposed development is nestled on the periphery of long-established Barcastle Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Castlebar town in Gorteendrunagh.

The existing acute shaped site is currently vacant and visually appears run down, with the appearance of an abandoned site.

The consequences of poor land management, resulting in a blemish on the current urban streetscape, the audit added.

The application was granted subject to 18 planning conditions.