AN application is to be made to Clare County Council for planning permission to build 148 houses at a prime location, adjacent to the Beechpark roundabout on the Ennis inner relief road and in close proximity to Ennis Golf Club.
In a notice published in this week’s Clare Champion, Abadair Investments Limited has signalled its intention to seek planning permission for 148 residential units, (60 detached houses, 82 semi-detached houses, six terrace houses) and ancillary surface car parking, as well as a crèche, ancillary outdoor play area, staff car parking and a drop-off zone.
This is a massive boost for the building trade and housing market in Ennis. Over the past while, many local auctioneers have spoken of the frustration experienced by clients, who have been unable to buy new houses.
The expansive elevated site earmarked for development is behind a number of existing houses on Circular Road (R474), a 10-minute walk to the town centre and just a stone’s throw from a road network that puts Shannon and Limerick in easy reach.
“Vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist access to the proposed development [would be] via a new junction on Circular Road (R474) and all associated access works thereto on the public road network; pedestrian and cycle link to adjoining lands to the south; traffic-calming measures on Circular Road (R474); connection to existing public water supply; surface water drainage services, including the provision of a surface water attenuation pond and treatment of surface waters prior to outfall; proposed foul drainage network to include construction of a foul water pumping station with emergency storage and rising main with discharge to the public foul sewer at Cahercalla Road; connection of existing dwellings on Circular Road to the foul drainage network; all associated site development and landscape works on lands at Ballymacaula, Keelty and Drumbiggle, Circular Road, Ennis, County Clare,” the notification states.
The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority at New Road, Ennis.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.