A brother of pop impresario Louis Walsh has won a planning battle to base a helicopter landing pad and hangar at his family home on the outskirts of Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
Mayo County Council refused to give planning permission to Paul Walsh for the development at Cordarragh, but this has been overturned on appeal to An Bord Pleanála.
There had been three objections to the development - two from local residents and one from the management board of St Aidan's national school. All of the objections related to noise, traffic and drainage from the site.
Padraig Walsh, a brother of the applicant, welcomed the decision on Friday. He said the application for the landing pad and hangar had been lodged in the name of his brother, Paul, but the development would be used mainly by another brother, Joe, a skilled pilot with over 400 hours experience. Joe lives in the United States and is involved in the timber flooring business.
If the appeal had been refused, his brother would have had to land his helicopter in Ballina, about 25 miles from Kiltimagh.
Mr Walsh explained that Joe would be taking possession of a new helicopter in February. It is envisaged it will refuel at Knock airport when being flown in the Co Mayo area.
The council had refused planning permission on the grounds the development would be "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area" and would depreciate the value of property in the vicinity.