New entrance to Kilrush estate on hold

KILRUSH town councillors decided to postpone a decision to support a Part 8 motion, which is part of the ongoing John Paul Estate Regeneration Programme.

A local authority executive makes Part 8 planning applications to the elected members of a council, in this instance, Kilrush Town Council.

At last week’s meeting, town clerk John Corry outlined what is proposed by the councilo. Wilson’s Road resident Peter Casey also addressed the meeting, which heard that the proposed plan is to demolish three houses in Elm Drive to help to create a new entrance on Wilson’s Road into John Paul Estate.

“The proposal was circulated on January 30 and then it went through the formal consultation process where it was on display from February 1 to March 15. Observations were invited up until April 4. We only got one submissions from one of the private house owners on Wilson’s Road. He had a couple of queries with regard to the proposed entrance at Wilson’s Road. The report was circulated to members on May 15 and basically what’s proposed is the demolition of three of the houses on Elm Drive to provide access,” Mr Corry explained.

Wilson’s Road resident Paul Casey was the only person to make a submission. His brother, Peter, represented him at the meeting.

“You couldn’t meet better neighbours in the whole of the 32 counties,” Peter Casey said before telling councillors and management that “ye are going to add a serious problem to Wilson’s Road”.

Councillor Paul Moroney expressed his opposition to the proposed demolition of the houses and creation of a new entrance to the estate from the road.

“What we have in Wilson’s Road is probably the shining light in the John Paul Estate. I have people coming to me the whole time saying they  would take a house in Wilson’s Road but not in the estate.

“You’ve got a very good clientele there. I would just be afraid that when you break that you’re breaking a link on Wilson’s Road.

“I would be very afraid that if we were to do this now, it’s just going to ruin it. So I would be voicing my opposition to the plans,” Councillor Moroney stated.

It was decided to put off the decision in relation to the proposed Part 8 measures.

“The decision we’re making is no decision,” town mayor Mairead O’Brien said, while John Corry pointed out that the development is subject to funding from the relevant Government department even if councillors support the proposal.