Opposition to proposed new Mayo IPAS centre reiterated

OPPOSITION to a planning application for a proposed new IPAS centre in Ballyhaunis has again been brought to council management's attention.

Further information in respect of the facility proposed by Bridgestock Care was submitted to council planners at the end of September.

The company is seeking permission to develop 32 accommodation units at the Old Convent site in Ballyhaunis.

The further information received by planners was viewed as substantial, with a consultation process opened. The chief executive of Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce coordinated a response back to the council, Councillor Alma Gallagher told the monthly Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting.

A number of matters were raised in the submission. They include the scale and density of the development, which dominates the skyline of the town and overshadows existing dwellings, inadequate storage for bins, a road safety audit was not provided, with inadequacies in the information submitted by the developers, she said.

Photomontages submitted were not accurate, said Councillor Gallagher, and car parking is inadequate.

There are over 250 people residing in the existing IPAS centre in Ballyhaunis and the town cannot accommodate another one, she added.

There is an over-concentration and loss of use and mix, contrary to the county development plan objectives for balanced community and settlement vitality.

The community, she said, is against this application and she sought the support of her fellow councillors that they are totally against this development.

“I trust Mayo County Council and the planning section will take these comments on board for once and for all and to put this application to bed,” she commented.

Councillor Neil Cruise supported his colleague. He has also received representations, adding: “Enough is enough is the phrase that would suit this one.”

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