Plan lodged for 20 apartments in south Mayo

Kevin and James Keane have lodged a planning application with Mayo County Council to redevelop the Bank Corner in Claremorris as 20 apartments.

The proposal is for 12 one-bed and eight two-bed units on the site at James Street and Ballindine Road.

It aims to retain the historic character of the existing three-storey building.

That building is a Protected Structure (NIAH Reg. No. 31214010; RPS Reg. No. 0262).

It would be converted into two two-bedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment.

The application (Reg. Ref. 26267) also proposes:

Demolition of three houses on James Street.

Demolition of the single-storey extension and garage on Ballindine Road, and all associated outbuildings.

Construction of 11 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, with ancillary site works and services.

A decision is due by Thursday, January 7 and submissions can be made until Tuesday, December 8.

Aontú TD Paul Lawless welcomed the application on social media.

He said he had spoken with residents, the owners, council officials and at national level about the site, and had raised it in the Dáil.

“We have to make these properties viable to develop,” he said. He argued that regulation and the planning process have in many cases made it unviable to bring old buildings like this back into use.

“That has to change,” he added.

Deputy Lawless commended the owners for their commitment to the project.