Apartments plan for prominent Mayo derelict site rejected
AN apartments plan for a prominent derelict site in Castlebar has been rejected.
Developer Harold Conway proposed a 26-apartment complex on the site at the junction of Stephen Garvey Way and Mountain View in the town centre.
Under the proposals, the existing two-storey dwelling would be demolished and replaced with a five-storey building comprising a mix of one-bed and two-bed apartments, along with a commercial unit for retail, cafe and deli use.
Also planned were basement/undercroft car parking, cycle parking, open space and communal and private amenity.
Five submissions were made to Mayo County Council during the public consultation period. Concerns raised included its size and scale and the proposal representing an over development of the site.
It would adversely impact the visual amenity of the area and privacy, in addition to overshadowing, and there was also insufficient parking provision. The potential for adverse impact on traffic was also raised.
The planners report set out the reasons for refusal.
The residential development would be visually obtrusive due to the excessive size and scale of the proposal relative to the surrounding area.
The physical over dominance of the structure would visually alter the urban landscape such that the character of the landscape would be severely damaged.
Located adjacent to the L-1732 and in close proximity to the junction of the R319 (regional road), the applicant had not demonstrated to the satisfaction of Mayo County Council that the development, with serious deficient provision of on-site parking provision, will not disrupt the normal operation of this busy junction and would not endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and obstruction of road users.
It was also found that having regard to the significant shortfall in car parking provision being provided, and the absence of a road safety audit being provided, the planning authority had serious concerns from a traffic safety perspective.