The contentious issue surrounding the zoning of the privately owned Bank of Ireland garden in Westport was discussed at a special meeting of Westport Town Council last week where councillors were finalising the draft development plan, with a proposal put through which would see the garden zoned for open space and also for commercial development.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Myles Staunton said that the discussion regarding submissions received about the gardens was deferred until the owners and interested parties met. In this meeting members of the Westport Civic Trust met with the Conways, who purchased this land 10 years ago, with the Conways willing to sell the property to the interested parties, with the civic trust looking into funding, however no conclusive agreement was finalised.
Two proposals were put forward, including one to keep it as open space which was supported by councillors Christy Hyland, Ollie Gannon, Tereasa McGuire, and Martin Keane.
Cllr Hyland said that the gardens should be open space which could enhance the town, while Cllr Keane said that he would oppose any sort of development on the only historic space in the town. Cllr Gannon said that he wished that the passion seen towards the garden should be shown towards the Quay Wall.
Cllr Michael McLaughlin put forward a motion that a large portion of the garden be zoned for open space and the remainder zoned for commercial use.
Cllr Adams said that a balanced level should be reached to accommodate the property owners and the benefits the garden would have for the town. Cllr Myles Staunton said that there should be an exploration into whether the Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government might have funding to assist in the matter.
This was supported by councillors Margaret Adams, Brendan Mulroy, and Staunton, who had the casting vote which passed the proposal.
Town manager Peter Hynes said that the proposal will go before public consultation before the final amendments to the draft development plan will be ready at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
