Clare housing development approved despite local opposition

CLARE County Council has granted planning permission for 14 houses at Dun Aras Avenue in Shannon despite strong local opposition.

Ballycasey Property Developments Ltd’s planning application was granted permission subject to 25 conditions.

It is now open to the objectors to appeal the Council decision to An Bord Pleanála should they wish to do so.

Among the conditions of planning is a requirement for a payment of €77,686 to the Council “in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting the development”.

The developers are also required to provide a cash surety of €70,000 and there is a further requirement for a Special Development Contribution of €20,000 to be made to the local authority.

Another condition included states, “The open spaces shall be developed for and devoted to public use and shall be kept free of any development, save for the proposed picnic area.

“When the development is being taken in charge, the public areas including the open spaces that have been designated for taking in charge shall be vested in the planning authority, at no cost to the authority.”

A 1.8 metre fence that was to be included is to be omitted and revised boundary management proposals are to be agreed before development begins. 

Another condition attached to the permission states that, “No house in the development shall be used for commercial overnight guest accommodation without a separate planning permission being obtained.

This is notwithstanding that any such use might be considered exempted development but for the provisions of this condition.

An objection was made on behalf of the Dun Aras Avenue Residents group by planning consultant Andrew Hersey.

It stated “The lands subject of the proposed development are greenfield agricultural lands and which are located across the road from their houses.

“The residents of the estate therefore are located on the very edge of Shannon town with the rural area located just across the road from them.”

Their objection raised concerns about issues such as traffic safety and residential amenity, sustainable development, the location of the development, anti-social behaviour and noise. 

A number of other objections were also made, with one resident stating that the new development would be very car dependent.

“This site is far removed from Shannon Town Centre, amenities, services and public transport routes. A car is needed if living here.

“We are approximately 2km from the nearest primary school-access to this school, shop, chemist or doctors is across a busy main road (R471). 

“I note Ballycasey Property Developments state that there are significant employment areas within walking distance. Please note there are indeed companies located on the north side of An Bóthar Mór,” the objector stated..

“However there is no walking access to these companies. A car is essential. The site is in an urban/rural location and is car dependent.”