Refurbishment project for vacant property in Mayo tourist town centre

PLANS to breath new life into a vacant property on Westport's main street are before Mayo County Council for consideration.

They relate to the refurbishment of the property known as 'Gibbons House' and include the conservation of the shopfront, which is a protected structure.

Documentation in the planning file sets out how the conservation project will bring family life back to a house situated in a prominent section of streetscape in the town centre.

The house has had no maintenance done to it for a long time and a substantial investment is being made in its conservation and repair.

The applicant intends to renovate Gibbons House for their own use, initially as a holiday home and later as their permanent residence. They also own the house next door.

A heritage report sets out how the property is a fine surviving example of a vernacular three-storey townhouse with ground floor shop. While adapted over time, its overall character is typical of Westport, one of Ireland's earliest planned towns.

Under the plans, it is proposed to retain the shopfront - it formerly housed a shoe shop - at ground level and residential use to the upper floors and rear annex.

The proposal, it was submitted, will significantly improve the environmental qualities of the structure, safeguard historic fabric, reduce the ecological impact of its occupation while accommodating the future requirements of family life for many generations to come.