Development plan adopted despite objections

The current draft of the new Ennis and Environs Development Plan for 2014 to 2020 has been adopted by county councillors, despite some strong objections.

Councillor Tommy Brennan opposed the adoption of the draft at a recent county council meeting, which he claimed was a “waste of public money”, considering it would be changed by members of the new authority after the May 2014 Local Elections.

He reiterated his plea to defer the plan for one year to allow members of the new county council to play their role in shaping the future development of the town and environs over a six-year period.

He had proposed the deferral of the plan at the May meeting and had sought clarification from the Department of the Environment about any possible obstacles to this course of action.

He argued it didn’t make any sense to proceed with the consideration of the plan now before the next council was elected, considering their views and deliberations could be changed by members of the next authority.

While the council received an acknowledgement that the department had received its queries, senior executive officer Michael McNamara confirmed no official response was received by the authority before its June meeting.

The lack of a response annoyed Councillor Brennan, who proposed the council defer its consideration of this plan until the department responded to his request.

However, Ennis Town Clerk Leonard Cleary warned councillors they had to consider and adopt the manager’s report on or before June 14, to comply with the 2000 Planning and Development Act.

This facilitates the start of a 12-week period for the preparation of the pre-draft development plan. Having regard to inter alia any directions issued by the councillors, this pre-draft will be prepared by the executive and submitted to councillors in early September.

Members will then have the option to amend it within eight weeks before an agreed and finalised Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2014 to 2020 goes on public display in mid-November.

Members were told that Environment Minister Phil Hogan hasn’t the power to extend the current period for consideration of the plan.

Although Councillor Brian Meaney shared some of Councillor Brennan’s frustrations, he warned councillors are subservient to national legislation and are required to continue with the review of the new plan at this stage.

“We don’t have any choice in this matter. We can make individual submissions to the plan,” he said.
Councillor Brennan said it is up to the department to issue a reply to Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council in relation to the proposed deferral.

While Councillor Patricia McCarthy accepted the department should have responded to this request, she warned if the authority didn’t act, it could place the plan “in limbo”.

Councillor Brennan pointed out the existing plan would remain in place until 2014 so he didn’t understand the rush to complete the new one.

“Our hands are tied,” declared Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Daly.

“They are not tied,” replied Councillor Brennan.

It was decided to adopt the current draft, despite Councillor Brennan’s best efforts.