Westport House and Demesne - Proposed Master plan July 2010
Introduction
Westport House and Demesne is owned by the Browne Family who trace their ancestry back to Granuaile (Grace O'Malley) in the 16th Century. The present Heritage House built during the 18th Century which is of National and International importance, is one of a limited number of such Houses in Ireland which is owned, and occupied by the descendants of its original owners with its original contents intact.
The importance of Westport House in its landscape setting, in its historical context and in its contribution to tourism is widely recognised but especially so by Westport Town Council and Mayo County Council
§ "It is an objective of the Council to prepare, in conjunction with the owners and Westport Town Council, a detailed plan for the future of Westport House and Demesne to provide both for the preservation of the House and other significant buildings as well as the core of the landscaped parts of the demesne and also for an appropriate level of commercial and other development as is necessary to provide an income to ensure the future viability and preservation of the house and demesne."
- Mayo County Plan 2008-2014
§ "The objective of the Westport House and Demesne Master plan land use is to facilitate appropriate development through the implementation of an approved Master plan in order to ensure the viability and conservation of the estate. Permitted uses in this zone will be assessed on the preparation of a Master plan but may include residential, commercial and tourist related activities all subject to the protection of the natural and built environment of the demesne.“
- The Westport Town and Environs Development Plan 2010-2016
The Proposed Masterplan
The Proposed Master plan now on display is the culmination of an extensive consultative process which commenced with an invitation from the Westport Town Manager in April 2005. Responding to the invitation the Browne Family engaged an expert Team led by RKD Architects to engage in the consultative process and prepare this Proposed Master plan
In accordance with the objectives of their respective Development Plans Westport Town Council and Mayo County Council have approved the public display of the Proposed Master plan from Tuesday 3rd August 2010 to Monday 20th September 2010.
You are invited to view the Proposed Master plan and submit your views to the Town Clerk, Westport Town Council on or before Monday 20th September 2010 @ 5.00pm.
Submissions may be made by e mail to
Main objectives of the Proposed Master plan
• Enhancement of linkage of Westport House with Westport Town;
• Improvement of linkage of town with the quay and alleviation of traffic congestion in town;
• Enhancement of the Westport Smarter Travel scheme;
• Protection of Westport House and its Core Heritage Area;
• Enhancement and protection of the Woodlands ;
• Creation of Iconic New Visitor attractions to benefit the House & the Town, by generating employment opportunities and income through Tourism potential;
• Creation of a new Living, Working & Leisure Community in harmony with its natural setting.
The Proposed Master plan - Main Elements
Enhancement of Town linkages and the Westport Smarter Travel scheme will be achieved by a new public road through the Estate linking the Golf Course Road with the Quay, by upgrading entrances to the Estate at Hotel Westport, and at Church Lane, and by the creation of a new private entrance to the House from the Quay Road.
Works commenced with assistance from The Heritage Council, will be continued with further protection and restoration works to the House, the farm buildings, the coach houses and the Italian Gardens.
In 2009 a Woodland Management / Restoration Plan was agreed with assistance from Westport Town Council, the Forest Service in the Department of Agriculture and other statutory bodies. Under this restoration plan 10,000 new trees have been planted, linked to an ongoing management and natural regeneration plan.
The Tourism potential of Westport House and Demesne will be expanded with the development of a wedding and conference venue with linked (75 bedroom) accommodation, the creation of family oriented iconic visitor attractions, Activity Park and outdoor adventure centre. The campsite will continue to be developed and new 100 bedroom hostel will be provided in the vicinity of the farm buildings. The tourism related activities will have international appeal and will have the potential to attract 400,000 visitors annually and generate 100 new jobs within a 10/15 year time span.
The Iconic attractions themed on Grace O'Malley will be environmentally located, designed, and managed to protect the Heritage and overall amenity of the Demesne.
The mix of residential accommodation within the new community area to meet the needs of the town and the estate working and tourism population will include 175 terraced or cluster houses, 62 detached houses 53 apartments and 40 bed suites.
The short to medium Capital requirement for the Restoration and Tourism related aspects of the Master plan is estimated at €16m, whilst the annual benefit to the local economy is estimated at €40m within a 10/15 year time frame.