Opposition to residential zoning development

KILKEE Town Council doesn’t want a site close to the local GAA grounds to retain a residential zoning.
At this week’s meeting of the council it was said that a submission had been made on behalf of Martin Fitzgibbon on the draft West Clare Local area plan, asking that the site in question not be zoned for recreation and that it be kept for development.  The members also heard that technical advice was that the site in question was not in compliance with flood guidelines.
Asking about the location of the site, Councillor Lily Marrinan Sullivan was told it was beside and behind the GAA grounds.
She expressed her opposition to putting houses in the area. “I’d question why it was zoned in the first place and I’d question if there is a need for any more holiday homes.”
The councillor said lessons should be learned from previous issues around flooding. “I’d like to think we wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Anyone who has seen the extent of flooding in fields and the erosion of sand when water was released onto the beach would know the damage was incredible.”
A report from the county manager is to be discussed at a county council meeting next week and it is understood to be against having the site zoned as residential.
Councillor Paddy Collins said an application had been made for housing at the site previously and it was turned down.
The council agreed to send a letter backing the county manager’s view on the submission.
County Councillor Pat Keane attended the meeting and afterwards he told The Clare Champion he was against having the area zoned residential on the grounds that the area in question floods. He said he was fearful that development there could lead to flooding in other parts of Kilkee.
County Councillor PJ Kelly spoke to The Clare Champion on Tuesday and said he still has an “open mind” about the zoning. He said an engineer’s report and one from the Met Office haven’t yet been made available.