Warning letter over hoarding and fencing at Mayo school site
A warning letter in respect of hoarding and fencing at the former Scoil Phadraig site in Westport has been issued by planning enforcement in Mayo County Council.
On overall development at the location on Altamount Street, a site visit earlier this month found it to no longer be 'active'.
Two complaints have been made to the planning enforcement section in relation to works at the old school, and the following report was circulated to local councillors ahead of their April municipal district meeting on Monday.
A written complaint was received on January 15 regarding alleged unauthorised works at Scoil Phadraig, Altamont Street, Westport.
The site was inspected by planning enforcement staff on February 6.
Hoarding and fencing was noted around the site and the site appeared to be an active site.
As the site was deemed active the aforementioned works, hoarding and fencing, were considered to be exempt under Class 16 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended): CLASS 16: The erection, construction or placing on land on, in, over or under which, or on land adjoining which, development consisting of works (other than mining) is being or is about to be, carried out pursuant to a permission under the Act or as exempted development, of structures, works, plant or machinery needed temporarily in connection with that development during the period in which it is being carried out.
No warning letter was issued, and the file was closed on March 7.
A further written complaint was received on March 31 alleging unauthorised works at Scoil Phadraig. Following a site inspection, it appeared that no works had occurred since the site visit on the previous enforcement file in February.
On this basis it was determined that the site was no longer active and therefore the hoarding and fencing could not be considered to fall under Class 16 exemption.
In order to clarify the situation a warning letter was issued on April 3.
The owner/developer has up until the May 1 to respond to the warning letter.
The report added that a warning letter is not a determination of whether or not works are unauthorised.
Local councillors have raised concerns about development by the Department of Education taking place at the site, with there being no planning file.
The department intend that the property will be used by the local girls secondary school.