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An Bord Pleanála ROADS ACTS 1993 to 2007 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTS 2000 to 2014 Mayo County Council An Bord Pleanála Reference Number: 16.HA0042 APPLICATION by Mayo County Council for approval under section 51 of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended, in accordance with documentation, including an environmental impact statement and Natura impact statement, lodged with An Bord Pleanála on the 29 th day of August, 2013. PROPOSED ROAD DEVELOPMENT: A new N5 road development which includes a northern by-pass of Westport and an eastern bypass of Castlebar, an upgrade to the existing N5 east of Castlebar, a bridge crossing of Lough Lannagh and an upgrade to an existing bridge crossing of the Castlebar River, to be located in the townlands of Westport Demesne (ED Westport Urban), Creggaunnahorna, Deerpark East, Attireesh, Westport Demesne (ED Kilmeena), Gortaroe, Carrowbeg, Knockranny, Monamore, Sheeroe, Drummindoo, Carrownaclea, Sheean, Cogaula, Doon, Knockbrack, Bullaunmeneen, Kilbree Lower, Drumneen, Cloonan, Dooleague, Claggarnagh West, Claggarnagh East, Annagh, Cloonkeen, Pheasanthill, Derrylea, Derrycoosh (ED Cloonkeen), Derrynashask, Derrinlevaun, Cloondeash, Aghadrinagh, Lisnageeha or Antigua, Lisnakirka or Milebush, Balloor, Hawthornlodge, Shanvally, Cottage, Drumaleheen, Kilkenny, Doogary (ED Breaghwy), Carheens, Liscromwell, Aghalusky, Ballynew, Ballyneggin, Breandrum or Windsor, Clogher (ED Turlough) Gortnafolla, Knockanour, Turlough, Drumdaff and Capparanny, County Mayo. The proposed road development comprises: • 23.7 kilometres of Type 2 Dual Carriageway. • 2.1 kilometres of Type 2 Single Carriageway. • 0.6 kilometres taper from Type 2 Dual to existing Single Carriageway. ______________________________________________________________ 16.HA0042 An Bord Pleanála Page 1 of 9 • Three compact grade separated junctions including overbridges. • Six roundabouts. • Two at grade left-in left-out junctions and one all movements at grade junction. • One bridge widening over the Castlebar River. • Two rail bridges over the Westport to Manulla Junction railway line. • Eleven overbridges, two underbridges and seven farm underpasses. • Associated earthworks diversion of services, realignment of existing roads, construction of accommodation tracks and ancillary works. • Excavation of peat and unacceptable material, excavation of rock and disposal and recovery of unacceptable material. • Drainage works, landscaping and diversion of services and ancillary works. DECISION APPROVE that part of the development between the Newport Road to Castlebar East (described as Sections A, B and C) based on the reasons and considerations marked (1) under and subject to the conditions set out below. REFUSE to approve that part of the development between Castlebar East to Turlough (described as Section D) based on the reasons and considerations marked (2) under. REASONS AND CONSIDERATIONS (1) In coming to its decision, the Board had regard to the following: (a) the provisions of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2001 (as amended), and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, (b) the provisions of the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013 regarding improvements to the national road network, the National Spatial Strategy for Ireland 2002 – 2020 and “Smarter Travel A Sustainable Transport Future – A Transport Policy for Ireland 2009 – 2020”, (c) the provisions of the Regional Planning Guidelines for the West Region 2010-2022, including Objective I05, which identifies the roads projects considered a priority for completion, and includes the ‘N5 Westport to Longford to Roscommon borders’, (d) the policies and objectives of the Mayo County Development Plan 2014- 2020, ______________________________________________________________ 16.HA0042 An Bord Pleanála Page 2 of 9 (e) the policies and objectives of the Mayo County Development Plan 2008 – 2014, including Objectives NP2, NP4 and NP5, as set out in Appendix 1 of the development plan, which seek to commence land acquisition and construction of the Westport Castlebar section, and to commence design and land acquisition for the Castlebar by-pass and the Westport Northern Relief Road respectively, (f) the policies and objectives of the Castlebar Town and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014, and Variation 3 of same made in February, 2013 to incorporate the alignment of the subject road scheme, (g) the policies and objectives of the Westport Town and Environs Development Plan 2010-2016, and Variations 2 and 3 of same made in 2012 to incorporate the alignment of the subject road scheme, (h) the sub-standard nature of the existing N5 national primary road between Westport and Castlebar in terms of the number of direct access points onto and off the roadway, the road width, the road alignment and the resultant traffic safety improvements arising from the proposed road development, (i) the traffic congestion currently being experienced in the town of Castlebar and, to a lesser extent, Westport, (j) the community need, public interest served and overall benefits to be achieved from the proposed road development, (k) the extensive route selection procedures undertaken by the Road Authority, (l) the local authority initiatives to promote cycle and pedestrian infrastructure in the county, and Westport’s designation as one of Ireland’s first three ‘Smarter Travel Demonstration Areas’, (m) the environmental impact statement and the Natura impact statement submitted in support of the application, (n) the submissions made during the application process, including the oral hearing, and the range of mitigation measures set out in the documentation received, and (o) the report of the planning inspector, including the supporting report of the assisting inspector, The Board was satisfied that the information before it was adequate for the purposes of undertaking an environmental impact assessment and an appropriate assessment in respect of the proposed development. ______________________________________________________________ 16.HA0042 An Bord Pleanála Page 3 of 9 Environmental Impact Assessment: The Board considered and generally adopted the environmental impact assessment carried out by the Inspector. The Board shared the Inspector’s concerns regarding the impact that the proposed roundabout at Knockranny South might have on the setting of, and the approaches to, Westport Town. The Board attached a condition to mitigate the impact of this roundabout by requiring a reduction of same. The Board noted the input from the Annagh Residents and the views of the Inspector regarding the negative visual impact that would arise from the proposed bridge over Lough Lannagh. The Board considered that the visual and landscape impacts were not acceptable or justified and decided to omit the bridge and require alternative access arrangements by condition. The Board noted the comment of the Inspector that the proposed development would be likely to cause a marginal increase in the emissions of greenhouse gases. However, the Board considered that this effect would be justified by the overall benefits of the proposed road development. Having regard to the nature, scale and design of the proposed road development, the environmental impact statement submitted with the application, the submissions on file and received at the oral hearing, and the Inspector’s assessment of environmental impacts, which is noted and generally adopted, the Board completed an environmental impact assessment and concluded that, subject to the conditions set out below, Sections A, B and C of the proposed road development would not be likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment. Appropriate Assessment: Having regard to the nature, scale and design of the proposed road development, the Natura impact statement and the environmental impact statement submitted with the application, the submissions on file and received at the oral hearing, and the Inspector’s assessment, which is noted, the Board completed an appropriate assessment of the proposed road development on the River Moy Special Area of Conservation (site code 002298). The Board was satisfied that the part of the proposed road development being approved (Sections A, B and C), in itself or in combination with other plans or projects, would not adversely affect the integrity of the European sites in the vicinity in view of the conservation objectives of those sites. The Board noted the Inspector’s concern in relation to the potential impacts of Section D of the proposed road development on the River Moy Special Area of Conservation when considered in combination with other future planned road projects, but in light of the decision to omit Section D for other reasons (as set out in Reasons and Considerations (2) below), the Board did not consider that these concerns would have any implications for the completion of Sections A, B and C of the proposed road development. ______________________________________________________________ 16.HA0042 An Bord Pleanála Page 4 of 9 Additional Considerations: In deciding not to accept the Inspector’s recommendation to seek further information in relation to the severance of routes serving pedestrian and cyclists in parts of Section A of the proposed roadway, the Board considered that these design concerns could be addressed by way of condition. The Board shared the Inspector’s reservations in respect of the proposed bridge at Lough Lannagh which is designed to serve Annagh Road, a minor country lane