Tag Archives: Gordon Daly

Clare County Councillors decided to defer making a decision on adopting a controversial road into the County Development Plan, following trenchant opposition from a lobby group. Councillors were given a deadline of July 31 at Monday’s council meeting to make a decision on the proposed Northern Distributor Road. No councillor spoke in favour of proceeding with the preferred route option. Senior planner Gordon Daly warned if councillors decided not to adopt the variation, it had the “potential to end the project for now” and noted that it may not go ahead in the future. Councillors voted by 17 votes to nine to defer a decision on this contentious route until Friday, July 24. The deferral was proposed by Councillor Pat Burke and seconded by Councillor Tom McNamara. Councillor Tony O’Brien proposed a sub-committee be set up including councillors, planners and engineers to try to devise an acceptable alternative proposal. Before the vote, chief executive officer, Tom Coughlan, reminded councillors this …

Clare County Council says the zoning of more than 345 hectares of land along the Shannon Estuary will give ‘greater investor confidence’ for anyone considering large-scale marine related development proposals. Earlier this week the council’s elected members unanimously backed the move to incorporate the zoned lands into the Clare County Development Plan 2011-17 along with the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland’s largest estuary. The newly zoned lands relate to Strategic Development Locations (SDL) at Cahercon and Moneypoint where existing pier facilities and deep estuarial water provide potential for maritime industry investment. Clare County Council says it would welcome any opportunity to discuss suitable development proposals for the locations. A new working group has also been established to promote and market the sites and wider Estuary as a key investment location. Led by Clare County Council, the group also comprises …

CLARE County Council is urging the general public to have their voice heard in relation to the formulation of a 6-year social and economic development plan for Ennis and surrounding areas. The new Ennis and Environs Local Area Plan 2015-2021 will guide the development of the Clare county capital and its environs in terms of economic development, recreational and community requirements, as well as residential, retail, transport and infrastructural needs. A draft of the Plan is due to be completed by the end of 2014. Community groups, individuals and stakeholders are encouraged to make written submissions or observations no later than 4pm on Tuesday,  July 29 next. Senior planner with Clare County Council, Gordon Daly explained: “The Local Area Plan will seek to guide and facilitate the future growth and economic and social development of Ennis. Therefore, it is vitally important that the council receives the input from all sectors of the community.” “The overarching aim of the new plan …

CLARE County Council plans to facilitate the development of Pumped Freshwater Hydro Energy Storage facilities in the county, similar to those already developed at Turlough Hill in County Wicklow. Three locations – Slieve Callan, Slieve Bernagh and Woodcock Hill in Meelick – have been marked as “indicative areas” for the proposed facilities, which are outlined in the newly developed Draft Clare County Renewable Energy Strategy. Commenting on the proposal to facilitate the development of PFHES facilities in the county, senior planner, Gordon Daly said such technology was “relatively underutilised in Ireland but presented significant potential for the domestic renewables sector”. Clare County Council is one of the first local authorities in the country to seek to incorporate such a renewable energy strategy into their County Development Plan. Mr Daly explained that a pumped hydroelectric energy scheme is a mechanical device for storing energy, consisting of two large reservoirs located at different elevations, typically between 200m to 300m, and a number …

By Jessica Quin WITH the 200th anniversary of the quay in Clarecastle approaching next year, its potential for attracting tourism to the region has been recognised. The Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary has highlighted that Clarecastle has “plentiful opportunity” to raise its tourism profile. Preparation of the SIFP was commissioned by Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company. Responding to a motion at a recent meeting of Ennis East electoral area councillors, senior planner, Gordon Daly stated, “The SIFP for the Shannon Estuary published in November 2013 recognises that the village of Clarecastle with “its rich heritage and historical importance as a military base, commercial port and fishing village, provide plentiful opportunity to raise its tourism profile.” “The SIFP is a high level plan that it is intended will be incorporated into the Clare County Development Plan 2011 – 2017 by variation in 2014. Clarecastle …