on the new Town and Environ plan before the closing date of September
14th. The plan deals with Westport House, Knockranny/Colonel woods,
Westport Town and Environs.
Cllr Martin says the public need to be aware of what he calls "drastic
and controversial" zonings proposed in the plan.
Under the new zoning proposals for Westport House Demesne, a large
building such as a 140 bedroom hotel or a conference centre could be
built adjacent to Westport House. The plan also allows for tourism
development on the estate adjacent to Hotel Westport and for the
development of 90 units of housing in the Demesne on the Golf Course
Road.
Labour's councilor Keith Martin has previously expressed his concerns
at these developments at the July meeting on the Zoning when he
proposed that no building be allowed near the house and that plans for
tourism development at the Hotel Westport gate be abandoned but his
motion was not seconded by any other councilor.
"I am very concerned that the estate is being dismantled piece by
piece for development. If we allow this to continue there will be
very little left of the estate to preserve for future generations."
Cllr Martin did go on to say that he was encouraged by the plans for
the rest of the estate for a visitor's centre, tourist accommodation
on the current campsite areas and new attractions but that his main
concerns where in relation to the further incursion of the town into
the estate and the proposal for building near the house itself which
would destroy the historic core of the estate.
"I was very disappointed that every other councilor on Westport Town
Council is in favour of cutting up more of Westport House Estate for
development. I thought that maybe we had learned from the past and
from the recession that housing and development where not stable or
sustainable development.
"I am in favour of facilitating Westport House as a venue for tourism
and for music concerts and public events and to that end we are
working with the residents of Church Lane to allow access for trucks
and Lorries for these events to access the estate from there. This
would only be a couple of times a year for a few hours and the access
would only be for equipment that cannot be brought over the bridge at
Westport House.
In relation to the Colonel's Wood development I was the councilor who
lead the original opposition to the idea of a nursing home there. I
compared its design and location to something akin to the Furher
Bunker and I stand by that. I am glad that this development will not
be going ahead. The whole project was just a get rich quick scheme
for Coilte.
"In relation to the Town Centre, of course there is too much land
zoned for housing, there always has been, but I am not in favour or
reopening the whole issue only a year after we finalized the last
plan. That plan protected the Town Core's heritage and I was able to
protect the Bank of Ireland garden. I don't want to open that can of
worms again. The whole plan will be up for review in less than four
years and we can have a look then and see where we stand regarding
housing lands."
"The real problem as far as I am concerned lies outside the town in
the Environs plan where almost all the environs are zoned for even
more housing on lands that are not serviced by Westport Town Council.
Its bungalow bliss out there and you also have the ridiculous
situation of lands like the former coursing field still being zoned
for development. Development that will never come!
Cllr Martin is calling on people to make submissions on the plan
before the closing date of September 14th. There is no fee and
submissions can be made in writing or by email to Ann Moore, Town
Clerk, Westport Civic Offices, Westport, Mayo.
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