41-unit Mayo housing project turned down
A SIGNIFICANT housing development in Castlebar has been refused planning permission.
It relates to a 41-unit project at Garryduff Park North (Site 3), Snugborough, being proposed by developers MGB Land Holdings Ltd.
Approval was sought from Mayo County Council for 41 dwellings in two- and three-storey detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and duplex/apartment configurations, along with a childcare/creche facility.
The vehicular and pedestrian/cycle access point proposed was via Victoria Place to Garryduff Park.
The project is part of a masterplan consisting of 164 new dwellings at Garryduff Park East (55 homes), Garryduff Park West (68 dwellings), and Garryduff Park North (41).
A number of submissions from local residents raised concerns about the development.
The need for housing in the local area was accepted in the submissions, and there was no objection to the building of additional houses in the vicinity.
However, residents had concerns about the development, primarily relating to impact on residential amenity, traffic, access, and the general scale of the proposal.
A planner's report noted how a considerable number of the objections were submitted from residents of Victoria Place and the issue of the location of the vehicular entrance through their development. If granted, the development would result in 41 extra dwelling units and the associated traffic travelling through Victoria Place and would undoubtedly adversely impact the residential amenity of residents.
In its ruling, the council found that having regard to the location of the proposed vehicular entrance through an existing residential development Victoria Place, it considered that the proposed development would contravene Objective HSCO 2 of Castlebar Town and Environs Local Area Plan 2023-2029 which states ‘Safeguard the amenity and integrity of completed residential estates and provide for smarter travel options, it is the objective of the council to ensure that new access proposals to any adjoining lands through an existing completed residential estate is provided for pedestrian or bicycle movements/connectivity only’.
Therefore, the proposed development would seriously injure the residential amenities and depreciate the value of property in the vicinity and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.