Tag Archives: clare county council

RESIDENTS of an historic area of Ennis are vowing to “fight to the last” against plans for a new housing development which has been given the green light by Clare County Council. They are now preparing an appeal to An Bord Pleanala following the granting of planning permission to Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ of residential units and a cafe with digital working hub at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. The initial application had sought to build 46 units, however this has been reduced to 37. The plans include a new apartment building on Drumbiggle Road increasing from two storeys to four storeys over-semi basement with a fifth floor set back on the south west corner. This building will incorporate 26 two-bedroom units, four one-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. The development will also see the construction of a new two-storey terrace of six …

FURTHER data that proves the damaging impact of pyrite in Clare homes is “absolutely irrefutable”, councillors have been told. Proof of a causative link was requested by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government (DHHLG) on foot of an application last July for access to the defective blocks grant scheme. This week’s local authority meeting was told that this data is to be sent in a matter of days. The director said that a meeting between council executives and members of Clare Pyrite Action Group last Friday had provided an update on the testing that has recently been carried out in response to queries from the DHHLG on its original report last July. The meeting was attended by expert engineer Simon Beale who was working with the Council to reply to queries from the DHHLG. “He outlined in a robust fashion that the presence of pyrite and the causative link to damage is absolutely irrefutable,” said Director of Housing …

THERE will be a period of traffic disruption in Ennis town centre from this Monday, May 16, and throughout the summer as Irish Water begins work on replacing the watermains. With Clare County Council due to progress with the county town’s public realm enhancement project, Irish Water is commencing its infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements. The Council has given notice of a road closure on High Street from the Junction of Salt House Lane to the Height. High Street to be closed with diversion via Old Friary Lane (reversed direction). Before the public realm enhancement project gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, to provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality. Gerry O’Donnell, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said “We are aware that works of this nature can cause some disruption. We would like to assure the …

AN ASSURANCE has been issued on the delivery of the Killaloe Bypass and Shannon Bridge Crossing, against the backdrop of rising costs in the construction industry.  The matter was raised at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council on foot of the monthly Management Report. Councillor Pat Burke noted a paragraph referring to the “inflationary cost of building projects” and sought an assurance that the multi-million bridge and bypass are on track. “There is a little bit of concern on the ground,” the Fine Gael member noted.  Senior Engineer at the Project Management Office, Seán Lenihan agreed that there are a number of challenges facing big infrastructural projects. “Everybody knows about the pressures the construction industry is facing,” he said. “Our project is no different. This job was priced last August and we concluded negotiations with SISK. I would like to allay any fears. SISK have not withdrawn. The department has not withdrawn any funding. There are some genuine concerns over …

E-SCOOTERS were described as “a danger” at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, as calls were made for their regulation. Councillor Gerry Flynn called on the Transport Minister “to urgently put regulations in place to protect members of the public from the users of these vehicles on public roads and footpaths”. His motion added that “some serious issues are materialising for vulnerable people and the use of guide dogs by the visually impaired is being compromised by the presence of these vehicles on footpaths”. Among those who spoke in favour of the motion was Councillor Johnny Flynn who shared his own experience of narrowly avoiding being knocked down by an e-scooter. Councillor Gerry Flynn noted that regulation of e-scooters, as mechanically propelled vehicles, is not due to be put in place until next year. “They have been set loose on the public without regulations,” he said. “The Minister for Transport has created huge issues for the public. These things are …

A FEASIBILITY study on the proposed greenway from Scariff to Limerick has concluded that there is potential for a high-quality and well-connected amenity, which will form part of the proposed Shannon Greenway.  A briefing was provided in late April to Oireachtas members on the route which will be around 40km in length. Oireachtas members were told that progress so far includes the completing of Phase 1 work on the Concept and Feasibility of the Limerick – Tuamgraney/Scariff Greenway. This work involved developing a study area and establishing the planning context as well as identifying constraints and establishing viability.  TDs and senators were shown two Preliminary Route Options (PROs). The first, Green PRO would follow The Shannon from Limerick to meet the Shannon Tail Race/Head Race. It would then proceed along the Parteen Basin to meet the Killaloe Bypass. The second, Red PRO would follow the Park Canal/River Shannon from Limerick to The University of Limerick (UL). It would then follow …

THE indefinite closure of Shannon Town Hall has been criticised by a local county councillor. The building had to be closed to members of the public after a bizarre incident last Wednesday, when a car struck the building, causing a significant amount of damage. While no-one was seriously injured in the crash, it was a huge shock, given that it is so far back from the road. In the aftermath a local authority statement said, “‘Clare County Council wishes to notify the public that the offices of Shannon Municipal District, Town Hall, Shannon, are temporarily closed until further notice following damage to the building. “While our teams continue to deliver services, our front counter ‘walk-in’ services are closed. Members of the public who need to access Shannon Municipal District services can do so by phone on 061-362319 by email to shannonmunicipaldistrict@clarecoco.ie or online at www.clarecoco.ie. “Full service will resume as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank …

WEST Clare has another feather in its tourism cap now a pathway improving access to Carrigaholt Castle has been opened. In glorious, sunshine last Saturday, during the annual May Weekend Oyster and Trad Festival Pat Dowling, CEO of Clare County Council cut the ribbon on the pathway gate leading to the iconic Castle. Among the group of locals and visitors gathered at the official opening were some of the Ukrainians staying in Kilkee. Mr Dowling made the observation that the Ukrainians relish their freedom and we are reminded of how important our freedom is. The opening of the pathway to the castle is symbolic, he said, of the freedoms we enjoy here. Also knows as MacMahon Tower House, the castle was built in 1480 and home to last Gaelic chieftain to rule on the Loop Head Peninsula. This new attraction for Carrigaholt, the Loop Head Peninsula and the county has been opened up for all to stroll down to the …