Objections to Clare community’s ambitious amenity plan

AMBITIOUS plans for a pavilion at Aistear Park in Mountshannon are the subject of objections from four local residents.

County planners are currently assessing proposals for the roofed, open structure, which Mountshannon Community Council hope will blend into the lakeside landscape and serve as a sheltered and serviced venue for a range of cultural and educational activities.

The plans have already been backed by The Department of Rural and Community Development, through a funding allocation of €54,860 announced in recent weeks.

In February, the Community Council formally lodged plans with the Council for the pavilion, after a period of public consultation.

In the following weeks, two local couples lodged objections to the development.

The objectors have raised concerns about visual amenity, the proposed use of the pavilion and potential anti-social behaviour at the location.

In two identical letters of objection, four residents of Main Street said that: “An open space is a special amenity in any village but one overlooking Lough Derg is exceptional.”

They said that any development within the park should be taken in consultation with the community.

“This is the only area of Main Street from which the lake can be clearly viewed,” the objectors said.

“The views onto the water from the park are framed by large trees that form natural windows.

“The proposed building will limit views from the street and from areas within the park as can be seen from the photo-montage accompanying the application.”

In respect of the proposed use of the pavilion, which Mountshannon Community Council hope will incorporate a diverse range of activities, the objectors have also expressed concerns.

They have told planners the structure will be “rarely used”, but have “a permanent and detrimental impact”.

The objectors have questioned the demand for a covered space and said “a parochial hall was built many years ago for such purposes”.

“The entire amphitheatre area is an attractive open space frequently used as a play area,” the letter added, “this significant part of the park will be fundamentally altered should the building be erected.”

Concerns over anti-social behaviour have also been raised, with the objectors fearing the venue could become “a magnet” for it.

In a letter to County Planners, the Community Council has said it is aware of the unique location of Aistear Park, “in the centre of the village and between the Main Street and Lough Derg”.

It added that is is “very keen not to interfere with the lake views from the village and thus the structure has been designed and located to minimise visual impact”.

As part of the application, a photomontage has been submitted as well as a photo of a marquee at the location earmarked for the pavilion.

The letter said that the apex of the proposed pavilion will be similar in height to the marquee and “on a very low scale as a result of the siting of the structure in the hollow existing in the park and its low profile design”.

The Community Council also said that they had consulted widely before the application was lodged.

County planners have given April 7 as an indicative decision date.