Mayo hotel extension plans under appeal

AN appeal has been lodged against plans for a major hotel extension in Westport town centre.

It relates to The Wyatt Hotel, at the Octagon, where Mayo County Council approved plans for an extension, which includes 72 bedrooms and around 110 extra parking spaces.

The project also involves the construction of a new public path from Church Street to the leisure centre car park.

That decision has now been appealed by a third party to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The case is due to be decided by early July.

The appellant had raised issues with the council, including the impact on housing with the loss of three dwellings and over-development of hospitality, with Westport becoming a place to visit rather than a place to live.

In a time of climate and biodiversity crises, there must be exceptional merit to a project to warrant the removal of green space in Westport town centre, it was also submitted.