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Retail development plan refused


CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a €34 million retail development on the outskirts of Ennis have been refused by Ennis Town Council, with the proposal considered to be “premature” by the planning authority.

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a €34 million retail development on the outskirts of Ennis have been refused by Ennis Town Council, with the proposal considered to be “premature” by the planning authority.
Ennis Chamber, who had been widely critical of the plans, welcomed this week’s decision, with CEO Rita McInerney stating, “I think this was the right decision by the council.”
The retail development was proposed by Michael Lynch Limited for a site at the Limerick Road/Tobarteascain Road, with Tesco set to be the main anchor tenant.
Efforts by The Clare Champion on Wednesday to contact developer Seamus Lynch were unsuccessful.  
On Tuesday, Ennis Town Council announced the decision to refuse planning permission for the development, which had been opposed by a number of groups including Ennis Chamber, businesses and traders associations and local residents.
In making the decision to refuse planning permission, the local authority stated it was satisfied the development was acceptable and compliant with the objectives for the site, as set out in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014, “subject to a number of requirements, particularly relating to a significant reduction in the level of non-food retail offered in the proposed development”.
However, the council considered the plans were premature, pending the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant at Clareabbey and the implementation of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme.
According to Ennis Town Council, “The council points out that there have been two major changes since the application was lodged in January 2010. The first is that the site is now designated within Flood Zone A and B, as per the recently varied Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014. Without the implementation of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme, the site will remain as Flood Zone A and B and as such a development of the scale proposed is premature.
“The other major change which has occurred is Section 177AE of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010, where any local authority development that is subject to an Appropriate Assessment goes directly to An Bord Pleanála for adjudication. This came into force on September 21, 2011.”

 

“Prior to this, legislation being adopted by the local authority would have dealt directly with such applications. It is considered that an application for the upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Clareabbey would require the adjudication of An Bord Pleanála as the outfall to the site is to an SAC (Natura 2000) site. In this respect, there is a much greater timeframe associated with the planning process.”
During the planning process, the developers claimed 500 jobs would be created if the development was given the green light, 300 from construction and 200 when operational. However, concerns were raised by objectors that the plans could lead to a ‘doughnut effect’ and a loss of jobs for the town. The chamber, in a number of submissions to the planning authority, raised concerns about the size, scale and location of the proposed development. 
Rita McInerney, Ennis Chamber CEO said, “We are pleased with the outcome of the planning application. Ultimately, we feel that a development of this scale at that location isn’t suitable for the town. We conducted a lot of research with colleagues in other towns around the country in terms of the effect of out-of-town development and we felt, ultimately, it would be detrimental to Ennis and businesses and that there would be losses in jobs as a result of such a development.”
She added that the chamber believes there is a need for future development in Ennis but there are sites in the town that would be more suitable.
Ms McInerney also said she believes the decision will probably be appealed but their opposition to the plans remains firm.
The applicant and those who have made third-party submissions have a right to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála within the statutory period.

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