Mayo residential area up in arms over 'isolation unit' ruling

The decision of Mayo County Council to grant planning permission for the retention of an existing self-contained isolation unit in the rear garden of 30 McHale Road, Castlebar, has left residents of the area up in arms.

The residents association had lodged an objection to the application, submitted in the name of Joseph Costello, on the grounds that the unit had been originally constructed without planning permission and was therefore unauthorised.

The association made the point that uncontrolled building in their estate is a cause of serious concern and, in this case, it is posing a major problem in respect of a service road which has the potential to be blocked by parked vehicles which may cause issues in the event of an ambulance or fire brigade accessing the location.

The residents also pointed out that the back gardens of the estate were never intended to be developments for apartments or any other habitable structures and a dangerous precedent is now being set by the council by a decision which they hope to have overturned on appeal.

In its decision, the council said the main dwelling at 30 McHale Road and 'overflow sleeping accommodation' must be retained in single ownership and not be sold or let separately.

The sleeping accommodation (isolation unit) must be occupied only by members of the immediate family or the occupier of the main dwelling house.

The council's decision is being appealed to An Bord Pleanala.