The Catholic Church has given prime development land to Mayo County Council for the development of a town park in Charlestown in exchange for funding for the construction of a car park at the back of the church.
The project will include a chidren’s playground, multi-use games area, pathways, seating, public lighting, landscaping and associated car parking at the Church grounds, Charlestown.
Included in the plans are the widening of the existing church lane to include footpaths and church entrance and the removal and reinstatement of the Church boundary wall to accommodate road widening.
The project was met with approval by the parish council and diocesan trustees but one neighbouring resident has raised concerns relating to the proposed car park which will be developed at a later stage by the church.
Local councillors were told this week that the proposed car park and widening of the back lane by 10 metres are important for the future development of the town as the council has plans to carry out backland development in Charlestown.
They said if the concerned resident has issues, that is his prerogative, but they stressed that his concerns related to the car park which will be a private development carried out by the church. The local man will have an opportunity to raise his concerns, which relate to increased traffic and fear of attracting anti-social behaviour to the area, once the planning permission is applied for the car park.
Director of services for the area explained to the councillors the “absolute urgency” of their approving the project so funding could be secured. Cllr Murray, who said the project should have commenced in January, proposed the formal adoption of the project. This was seconded by Cllr Eugene Lavin.
Mr Mahon said the council was happy to follow up with the local man to ensure his concerns are addressed.
