Possible judicial review over Mayo county town's local area plan

CASTLEBAR councillors are to seek legal advice for a possible judicial review of a ministerial direction in respect of the local area plan.

The plan has been rejected by the Minister for Local Government, Darragh O'Brien - a decision greeted with great disappointment by local representatives.

They have been instructed to reinstate or change a number of zoning objectives, and have hit back at the minister and Office of the Planning Regulator for hampering housing development in the town.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Al McDonnell, at a Castlebar Municipal District meeting yesterday (Wednesday), said they had come up with what they deemed the best plan going forward, providing additional lands particularly for residential development.

All members echoed his 'extreme disappointment', with Councillor Michael Kilcoyne saying the minister didn't want the town to expand in any way.

It was 'frightening', he said, that the minister would rubber stamp a report without having had a discussion with the local representatives.

The planning regulator has far too much power and that needs to change, was the view of Councillor Donna Sheridan. Otherwise they wouldn't get houses built in the town.

The Castlebar urban area was one of the smallest boundaries in the country during the town council days and nothing has changed since, said Councillor Blackie Gavin. With the new motorway, you could build a new town on the environs, he noted, saying the decision was 'disgraceful'.

“This town cannot expand. Young people cannot get housing,” he said, adding they need to sit down with the junior minister and see what can be done.

It is important the county town progresses, said Councillor Martin McLoughlin, and this was a step in the wrong direction. It wasn't progress in any sense of the word.

Had they been left with more land zoned, they would be in a better position with regards housing, said Councillor Cyril Burke.

Councillor Ger Deere wondered what was the point of all the hours work they had put into the plan. They knew what was best from listening to the people and working with the planners.

People want to live in the town and they had come up with a good plan, but this decision has set them back again.

With all councillors of the one view, Councillor Kilcoyne suggested they obtain legal advice in respect of a possible judicial review.

The cathaoirleach summed up the mood: “It is a sad day for Castlebar.”