'Great disappointment' over controversial Mayo hotel decision

THERE is 'great disappointment' in Crossmolina at a decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to overturn a Mayo County Council planning refusal and allow a local hotel's function room to be converted into extra bedroom space.

Local Councillor Michael Loftus said he was amazed that the decision regarding The Dolphin Hotel – which he didn't consider a hotel anymore – got over the line.

He said the council had refused the application for very good reasons and he was 'extremely disappointed' to see the decision overturned.

“It's very divisive in the community,” he added as he called on Mayo County Council to check the development to ensure that everything is in order with it. “I hope it will be visited and checked.”

The head of Ballina Municipal District, Declan Turnbull, said he had not seen the conditions attached to the grant of planning by An Coimisiún Pleanála and until he did, he couldn't really make any comment on it.

Mayo County Council had previously refused an application by Pat Mulhern Civil Engineering (Ireland) Ltd for retention permission to change the use of the hotel’s single-storey function room at the rear of the premises from commercial use to social and residential accommodation, adding 10 bedrooms to the existing 10 on site.

At appeal stage, the applicant submitted an amended internal bedroom layout, including en-suite provision, and an amended outdoor layout to the rear, with car parking provision and an outdoor amenity area.

The appeals board found in favour of the applicant and granted planning permission subject to a number of conditions.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.