Major Mayo commercial proposal strikes a planning hitch
A MULTI-million-euro commercial development planned for Castlebar town centre has struck a planning hitch.
Local businessmen Dermot Fadden and Ivan Carroll were scheduled to start work on the former Lavelle's Bakery and Upper Crust sites at Main Street after receiving full planning permission
Mr. Fadden, who heads the Sixth Sense men's fashion outlet, is investing in a new retail development which will face onto Market Street while Mr. Carroll, the proprietor of the Bay Leaf Restaurant in Turlough, is converting the old bakery building into a state-of-the-art restaurant adjacent to what is known locally as Hoban's car park, which is owned by Mayo County Council.
Part of the project involves creating an access to the existing Riverside and Greenway walks in the town by demolishing a building owned by Patrick and Anna Fadden at Linenhall Street.
The Faddens were granted permission a number of weeks ago by the council to proceed with the work which would effectively kick-start the entire building works at the location.
However, an appeal against the council's ruling has been lodged to An Bord Pleanála by the owner of one the adjacent buildings at Linenhall Street, Nancy Flynn.
In a submission made on her behalf by David Keane & Associates, Watch Tower Design, concerns are raised that the adjoining wall between the Flynn and Fadden properties, which is proposed to be demolished, is a common wall.
“How can it be demolished without negatively effecting the (Flynn) property wall which is 100 years old?†the appeal added.
A spokesperson for An Bord Pleanála stated it will November before a decision is made on the appeal in respect of Patrick and Anna Fadden's plan to demolish an existing shop unit, construct a two-storey shop on smaller footprint, new pedestrian laneway and link bridge to the adjoining site where the projects by Dermot Fadden and Ivan Carroll are proposed.
The Connaught Telegraph has learned that the delay has not placed the major development under threat, although work had been due to start over the summer months.