Cong village and it’s “rapidly diminishing population” is to get another set back with the refusal by Mayo County Council of a mixed use development of commercial units and apartments.
At Monday’s Ballinrobe electoral area committee meeting Fianna Fáil Councillor Damian Ryan pleaded with council planners to grant permission to Evan Duggan for the development, which also comprises six surface car parking spaces.
One of the main reasons the council cited for refusing the application was that they felt the development would detract from the historical and visual importance of the village.
Cllr Ryan pleaded that any development, provided that it was in keeping with the proper planning guidelines, should be facilitated given the economic downturn and the way the construction industry has gone.
He said this in-fill development should be broadly welcomed and he said he was completely opposed to the development being refused permission.
Cllr Patsy O’Brien added that Cong was a beautiful village but said that this kind of development could blend into the natural environment in Cong and had a lot of merits.
A final decision is to be made on May 6.
