Decision to refuse planning for family home 'outrageous' - Mayo councillor

AN elected representative has hit out at a family of four being refused planning permission on the basis that they don't have a housing need.

Councillor Al McDonnell displayed a photo of an old ruin on the site where planning was sought, which he claimed planners had said was 'never a house'.

The photo, shown by Councillor McDonnell at the monthly Castlebar Municipal District meeting, featured an old stone structure with visible windows and chimneys.

Councillor McDonnell said the area in question - between Manulla and Ballyvary - is deemed to be under urban pressure.

The applicants, he said, have a farm with an old ruin on it, but the planners decided the ruin was never a house, and also that they have no housing need.

This is a young couple with two children, living in a house they have no entitlement to, and who were prepared to spend money to build a new house, but they were told they have no housing need, he said.

“I want this matter investigated,” Councillor McDonnell told management. “It's outrageous.”

Planning, he added, will be reapplied for. And showing the photo, he commented: “That didn't pass the criteria of being a former house.”

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