The controversial planning application in the name of Coillte Teoranta Ltd, for an 86-bedroom nursing home which was to be built at Colonel's Wood, Knockranny, Westport, which gave rise to concerns among locals, has been withdrawn.
Councillor Keith Martin told the Mayo Advertiser that town councillors became aware of the application withdrawal on Tuesday following an email circulated by the town clerk. Cllr Martin said that he is delighted that the application has been withdrawn, having objected to the development in the first place.
He said that nursing homes in Westport are needed, however the “size, scale, and location” of the proposed development was not suitable. He added that the last minute planning application made by Coillte seemed to be aimed at “taking advantage of now extinguished tax breaks”.
Cllr Martin said that town councillors will now have say in any future developments in the area as in January 2010 Colonel’s Wood was zoned in the Westport Town and Environs Development Plan.
