Ladbrokes Ireland Ltd has secured the green light to move its Castlebar store from Castle Street to Ellison Street.

An Bord Pleanala has now overturned a Mayo County Council decision not to allow the relocation of the bookmakers.

Ladbrokes appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The ground floor unit on Ellison Street is vacant but was formerly occupied by a retail unit. Mayo County Council ruled that the proposed use would contravene the Castlebar and Environs Development Plan and would set a precedent for similar developments in the town centre.

An Bord Pleanala however, was of the view that the development would represent a considerable planning gain. It concluded that while a betting office does not constitute retail use, it generates levels of footfall that are similar to a retail premises.

So it decided to grant planning permission for the bookmakers subject to a number of conditions being complied with. These included limiting opening hours.