Mayo town loses tourism investment due to 'flooding risk' concerns

Mayo County Council has refused planning permission for the construction three tourism accommodation units at St. Anthony's, Distillery Road, Westport.

The application, in respect of a site located within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), was submitted by Linda Turner and Paul Kilkelly.

In its decision, the council said the proposed development involves the raising of the finished floor level on land currently at risk of fluvial flooding.

Consequently, this would reduce existing flood storage capacity along the Carrowbeg River floodplain and thereby result in the displacement of additional flood waters onto adjoining/adjacent lands and other lands in the vicinity.

"It is therefore considered that the proposed development is in an area which is at risk of flooding, and if granted, would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

"The proposed development which is located on lands currently at risk of fluvial flooding is considered at this time premature pending the development of the Westport Flood Relief Scheme," the ruling added.

Carrowbeg River is identified as an important ecological corridor.