Land zoning appeal at Mayo's Marian shrine unsuccessful

AUTHORITIES at Knock Shrine have been unsuccessful in an appeal to remove two plots from the Residential Land Tax Zone (RLTZ) map.

A third site, which is used by the local primary school, also subject to appeal, has had its designation changed.

The lands subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála are at Carrowmore, Churchfield and Drum, Knock, and the appeal was lodged by St. Jarlath’s Diocesan Trust.

The Carrowmore lands are located close to Knock National School, with the other two sites located to the southern and northern entrances to the shrine campus.

A submission to the appeals board set out how the Carrowmore site has been used for the past 10 years by the school for a recreational green space and playing fields.

It is the sole grassed area available to the school and is used daily by pupils from the ASD unit, as well as the local community.

The Churchfield lands were integral to the future development of the southern entrance to the shrine and provide flexibility for potential future upgrades such as entrance junctions, car parking or other structures.

Residential development at this location was considered 'inappropriate' and would impact on the Knock Shrine complex, including the Basilica.

A similar argument was made for the northern site, which is occasionally used as a temporary overflow car park.

The appeals board agreed an exemption applied to the site beside the school, having regard to its ongoing use for amenity and community purposes.

However, the other two sites, it found, are located within the settlement of Knock and have access to public infrastructure and facilities necessary for dwellings to be developed.

No capacity or other reasons had been identified that would prevent the development of these lands in principle for residential purposes.

They were considered to be 'vacant or idle' within the meaning of the Act and do not fall within the criteria for an exemption.