Apartments plan for former Mayo pub refused

A PROPOSAL to develop living accommodation in a former Swinford pub has been turned down.

It relates to The Ballymiles Inn, where permission was sought to retain the existing three-bedroom house and to change the use of the now unlicenced premises to three 2-bedroom and one 1-bedroom accommodation units.

The property is located along the N5 between Swinford and Bohola.

A submission raising concerns, including traffic, among local residents was submitted to Mayo County Council.

Planners refused permission, saying the development, including four apartments, was out of character in this rural area and would injure the amenities and property in the area.

It was also contrary to the county development plan, setting an undesirable precedent for similar multi-unit type developments outside of designated settlements and would lead to demands for the uneconomic provision of public services and communal facilities.