Chamber organising appeals process meeting

ENNIS Chamber and Ennis Development Forum are to facilitate a meeting for interested parties to outline the appeals process after developers behind the controversial €30million retail development lodged an appeal to the planning refusal with An Bord Pleanála.
The proposed development of a 70,000 sq ft shopping unit on the Clare Road was refused planning by Ennis Town Council in January. Monday night’s meeting in The Old Ground Hotel is designed to inform the business community and others of the appeal process to An Bord Pleanála, which has a closing date of March 2 for acceptance of submissions.
Developers Michael Lynch Limited has appealed the town council’s decision to refuse planning and in their appeal, they insist the development, which has the capacity to generate 300 jobs during the construction phase and between 180 and 200 when operational, will not compete with or lead to the long-term vacancy of retail units in Ennis.
The company also states in its appeal that the subject site, on the southern fringes of the town, “represents an important strategic development for Ennis”.
The project was opposed by Ennis Chamber, business and traders associations on grounds that it could lead to “a doughnut effect” in that it could adversely impact on the commercial heart of the town.
However, in its appeal, Michael Lynch Limited insists the project will not lead to the long-term vacancy of retail units.
“Ennis does have vacant units but it has also experienced a dynamic turnover of units in the past couple of years with new businesses opening their doors.
“The proposals accord with national retail policy as the format of development conforms to the broad definition of a district centre and is of a scale subordinate to the town centre. Importantly, the project does not have the scale or variety to be an alternative retail destination to Ennis town centre.
“The entire thesis of the project from conception was to provide a retail development that adds to the Ennis retail offer in a positive manner without detracting from the inherent attraction of Ennis town centre.
“In all material respects, the proposed development provides a key opportunity for Ennis to capitalise on a strategic and under-utilised brown field site on the southern entry to the town centre,” the appeal states.
Monday’s meeting is timed for a 6.15pm start.