No rates reduction for Chapel Lane businesses

THE local authority has ruled out any reduction in rates for businesses in Chapel Lane whose trading has been affected by the erection of scaffolding at the protected McParland’s Building.

Councillor Paul O’Shea had called on Ennis Town Council to reduce the rates saying there has been a “significant drop” in customers since measures were taken to protect the building 18 months ago.
However, according to the council, there is no provision in law to provide this.
The building, which had been one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Ennis, features a rare Jacobean stone chimney and is a protected structure as defined in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.
In November 2009, a dangerous structure notice was issued by Ennis Town Council and measures were taken to prevent parts of the building collapsing. The cost of restoring the building has been estimated at €230,000 and efforts are being made to secure the funding.
Councillor O’Shea called on a reduction of rates stating, “These are exceptional circumstances. There has been scaffolding up for 18 months and no decision made on when the works will be completed. There are a half a dozen businesses there, who have seen a significant drop in customers.”
However, town clerk Eddie Power responded that the council adopted its budget for 2011 in December 2010 and the annual rate on valuation determined applies to all commercial rate payers. “There is no basis for selective reductions in rates due by rate payers. There is no provision in law to make reductions, we can facilitate rate payers to make payments in instalments, we can arrange flexible payments but we don’t have the scope to reduce payments. The general rule applies, we are not in a position to reduce rates for a particular business,” he said. He added that the council will be kept informed of any developments at the site.
The building was recommended for inclusion as a protected structure by the Minister for the Environment following a survey which gave the building a regional rating of importance.
The rare triple diamond Jacobean stone chimney and chimney breast dates the building to the period 1580–1650 and indicates the date of construction of the street, as similar chimneys existed on nearby buildings into the late 20th century.
The building is in private ownership and work had commenced in 2009 on the restoration of the building with the support of heritage grant funding.
In November 2009, an inspection showed that the gable wall of the building, including the stone triple-diamond Jacobean chimney stack, was in a dangerous condition and the dangerous structure notice was issued and safety measures undertaken.
The council has been in contact with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in an effort to secure funding. The proposed works include completely demolishing the medieval chimney and rebuilding it, repairing it, repairing the roof, windows and external fabric, repairing the internal floors, walls, ceilings, stairs.