Housing development in Mayo given green light despite concerns from residents and planners
Planning permission has been granted for a 15-unit housing development in Westport, despite an objection from a local residents’ association.
The application, lodged on September 30, 2025, had initially been the subject of a further information request by Mayo County Council planners amid concerns over the proposed housing mix.
However, Catherine McConnell, Director of Services for Planning at the council, concluded that the housing mix was appropriate for the area and she asked planners to prepare conditions for a grant of permission – rendering the further information request moot.
The development is located at Westlands Housing Estate along Quay Road in Westport and will comprise of:
One, two-storey, four-bedroom detached unit
Five two-storey, four-bedroom terrace units
Eight two-storey, three-bedroom semi-detached units
One two-storey, three-bedroom detached unit
It will also include all associated works, including pedestrian and vehicular access to the existing Westlands estate.
The Westlands Residents Association submitted an objection to the plans on October 30, 2025, citing concerns that the new units would interfere with the estate boundaries and walls, encroach on recreational areas, and create new traffic hazards for both residents and children.
The association stated that traffic from the new housing units would add to the already high levels exiting onto Quay Road, which was described as a blind exit leading into fast-moving traffic. Concerns were raised that this would increase the likelihood of traffic accidents.
They also said the proposed road and pathways for the development would cut through and remove a large part of the recreational green area at the top of the Westlands estate.
The submission noted that over the years, residents have invested time and money into maintaining the space, which is used by children and seniors as a picnic and meeting area. The group emphasized the importance of preserving the areas “as it is now.”
Lastly, the group stated that the development would cause “huge inconvenience” to both residents and estate road users, and it would “pose additional hazards at an already dangerous junction in the estate.” The objection was signed by multiple residents.
A planner's report dated November 20, 2025, requested further information in relation to the mix of housing, noting that the proposed terraced units were “at odds” with the location.
The further information request sought a better balance of detached and semi-detached units.
However, correspondence from Ms McConnell dated November 24, 2025, deemed the housing mix “appropriate for a serviced site,” the site density “reasonable,” and asked planners to “prepare relevant conditions to go with a grant of permission.”
She added that “all other issues can be addressed by reason of conditions to be agreed prior to commencement of development.”
Planning permission was subsequently granted with no further information submitted.
With no appeal lodged with An Comisiún Pleanála, the development received full permission on January 5, 2026, with 28 conditions attached.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.