Innovation hub planning application for historic Mayo hotel due in autumn

A PART 8 planning application for the redevelopment of the Imperial Hotel in Castlebar as a business innovation hub is due to be advertised next autumn.

Design work is progressing in conjunction with a limited enabling works contract, with a view to preparing an updated cost plan for the development and lodging a planning application later this year.

Municipal head Ann Moore said the council is working with the consultants, with a lot of work done in terms of surveys, and it is hoped to advertise the Part 8 in the autumn.

In another significant project for the town, tenders for the design team to take the €12m. outdoor sports campus through to construction have been assessed and letters of contract award are to be sent in the coming weeks.

The news was confirmed after Councillor Harry Barrett sought an update on URDF projects in the county town, where he urged quicker progress.

Projects, he said, are taking too long to deliver.

The 24 derelict buildings being considered under the activation of vacant and derelict properties scheme was one where he wasn't happy with the delay, with money still not dispensed.

Discussions are ongoing with the owners, he was told, and engagement with owners who have agreed to progress their properties themselves is followed up quarterly.

There's a 'mythical' €2 million pot still not dispensed, said Councillor Barrett, and he wondered how much more incentive can you give to people who have vacant and derelict properties around the town.

With families going into homeless accommodation, it was time to tell them 'time's up, you're on the derelict sites register'.

The municipal district, he was told, will revert to central housing on that matter to see what progress is being made.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme