Traditional Mayo pub at centre of planning dispute

ONE of Mayo’s best known traditional public houses is at the centre of a planning dispute.

Residents of Rathbawn Drive in Castlebar have lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the decision of Mayo County Council to grant planning permission to Johnny McHale’s Pub at Lower Chapel Street in the town for ground floor and first floor extensions.

The grounds of the 68-page appeal include intensification of development, excessive scale, erosion of residential amenities, overbearing impact on adjacent properties and noise pollution and disturbance.

The residents claim the erection of two smoking areas will be visible and audible from some of the nearby houses in the estate as well as having a negative impact ‘on the enjoyment of those houses’.

The residents said it is proposed to almost double the floor area of the public house, mainly by changing the use of the first floor residential accommodation into public house use.

A spokesperson outlined: “The scale and bulk of the proposed development, due to its location and aspect, will cast significant shadows on nearby properties, having a negative impact on rear gardens.

“The extension will also significantly increase the occupancy of the premises and consequently the potential for increased late night noise pollution. “It is accepted that the existing premises has a long established use as a public house.

“However the arrangement of the proposal, as presented, will have a significant impact on nearby residential properties in the area.”

The council granted permission subject to 10 conditions, one of which related to the introduction of a noise monitoring programme for six months after the extension is completed.

An Bord Pleanála is expected to take between three and four months before issuing its decision on the appeal.