Home for elderly and disabled could be spiked

A MAYO housing development to cater for the elderly and disabled could be abandoned because of planning difficulties.

An application by Independent TD, Dr Jerry Cowley, to build 25 houses in Mulranny, Co Mayo is in jeopardy according to planners. It is proposed that elderly and disabled people currently living in institutions will stay in this specially-built unit.

Mayo County Council senior planner, Iain Douglas, confirmed that the council has reservations about the 4m development.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) also believe the houses will create major traffic problems.

The main entrance to the site is on the Mulranny to Ballycroy road. Already 50 elderly people reside at St Brendan’s Village in Mulranny in another development that was led by Dr Cowley.

The village employs 65 people and is worth more than 3m to the local economy annually. Dr Cowley still hopes the new homes, which will also include houses for eight local families, will be built.

“I’m outraged that the NRA has problems with this development. The project will give employment and it will also provide homes for some families who can’t get accommodation locally,” he said.

The houses are planned for a site close to the former Great Southern Hotel in Mulranny.

Dr Cowley insisted yesterday that he will press ahead with the development.

“The application might have to be reworked a bit, but I’m still hopeful it will get permission eventually,” he said.

Local councillors are backing Dr Cowley and they have pleaded with Mayo county manager Des Mahon to intervene in the dispute.

“The National Roads Authority have a cheek to come down and say that the road is not suitable for this development. What investment have they given to Mayo in the last year?” Fine Gael Cllr Eddie Staunton said.

Cllr Johnny Mee said that the project will benefit many vulnerable people.

“This is a major planning application and it appears to me that it’s going to be turned down on very flimsy grounds.

“I think if we refuse to give the go-ahead for this project it will be a bad day for Mulranny and a bad day for Mayo,” Cllr Mee said.