Legal advice being sought over development plan

ENNIS Chamber and Ennis Development Forum are to take planning and legal advice in relation to the proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.
Members of both Ennis Chamber and the Ennis Development have stated they are seeking the advice as they expressed “grave concern” at reports that members of Ennis Town Council have supported out-of-town development, which the business community believe will be to the detriment of the town.
Last week, councillors at a meeting to discuss the proposed variation of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan suggested that a development site on the Limerick Road and Clonroadmore be a suitable location for a district centre scheme or large foodstore, subject to assessment of retail impact.
This area is currently the subject of a planning application for a 7,000m2 retail development by Michael Lynch Ltd.
Speaking in relation to the proposed out-of-town development, president of Ennis Chamber, John Dillane said, “Ennis Chamber actively supports the encouragement of new business to Ennis to drive competitiveness and choice for customers.  However, we believe that such developments should be located as close as possible to the town centre in order to have sustainability of new and existing businesses.  Locations for development do exist close to Ennis town centre such as the Ennis National School and by progressing the building of the new school at Ashline and making this prime site available, we would create medium and long-term employment in the area.  We cannot make the same mistakes as has happened in other parts of the country, where it is clearly evident that town centres have been left decimated in Limerick, Tralee and more recently Naas, as a result of out-of-town developments.”
Reacting to comments made at the Ennis Town Council workshop meeting, Ennis Development Forum chairperson Aoife Madden called on Ennis town councillors, as the authority with the responsibility, to reduce the standard charge on parking in Ennis to €1 and to offer customers free parking on Saturdays.  Ms Madden added, “Ennis businesses are operating in a very competitive market and have responded by offering further value for money and continued quality service to customers.  Ennis Town Council can play its part in rewarding customers by incentivising them to shop locally through a combination of lower cost and free car parking.”
Ennis Chamber CEO Rita McInerney outlined, “Our members have also questioned the basis for the proposed Variation to the Ennis & Environs Development Plan, given that some of these changes go against the managers’ and planners’ advice.  The proposal needs to be considered in light of previous development plans and the viability of commercial decisions made on those grounds, which could have serious implications for employment.  Research has shown that for every one job created by large out-of-town developments, 1.5 jobs are lost to the overall local economy.  This is not job creation – this is job displacement and job loss.”
Meanwhile, a number of concerned traders in Ennis have described comments made by Councillor Frankie Neylon that the town has little to attract shoppers as “totally inaccurate”.
“A walk down any of the main streets in Ennis will show what a unique and varied retail offering Ennis has. This is commented on regularly by locals and visitors alike,” stated one trader.
“The independently owned shops and businesses give Ennis a real distinction from other towns. It offers a genuine variety of new and contemporary shops such as boutiques and cafés combined with traditional shops such as hardware, fruit and veg, haberdashery, drapery and lots more besides.”