Tag Archives: clare county council

THE developers of a landmark site in Tulla have taken issue with a number of conditions imposed by county planners on a mixed-use residential, retail and commercial project proposed for one of the main approaches to the town. The €4.5 million development is one of a number of housing projects in prospect for Tulla, but the company behind it is now asking the planning appeals board to remove two conditions, which it considers to be overly restrictive. Woodhaven Developments Ltd. secured permission, last February, to develop the site of the former St Joseph’s Secondary School, which has been vacant for several years. The lands, which are just under three acres, and are owned by Woodhaven, are zoned for mixed use and identified by Clare County Council as an “opportunity site” on the outskirts of the town at the junction of Chapel Street and the R462. The Ennis-based company is proposing to construct a mixed-use building with two shops and two …

RESIDENTS of Tulla have been commended for highlighting issues of concern with a proposed social housing development which has just secured permission for a site at Doonaun on the outskirts of the village. The 25-home development, represents an investment of around €6 million, and was approved at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. The proposals were the subject of 17 local objections – one of which included a petition signed by 45 local residents. Speaking to The Champion, Councillor Joe Cooney paid tribute to the efforts of the residents to work with elected representatives on identifying issues and said he believed these had now been addressed. “I am aware that residents had concerns and I met with them to hear their views,” Councillor Cooney said. “I would like to compliment residents on making their views known so that we, as local representatives, could refer these back to the local authority and have them addressed.” Among the issues raised was …

CLARE County Council are on target to lodge an application for a long-awaited flood embankment on the outskirts of Clonlara in mid to late April, according to a local councillor. Councillor Michael Begley has told the Clare Champion the council are on track to lodge a Part Eight application for the Springfield Flood Embankment, which is estimated to cost in excess of €1.2 million. This follows a video conference meeting between council officials and the Office of Public Works last week following a submission of the final report by consultants employed by the local authority to assess issues concerning the flood embankment. While flood waters have disappeared, and residents who were evacuated have returned to their homes, sandbags still remain outside some dwellings. Councillor Begley said some residents have to undertake a major clean up operation due to overflows in septic tanks and other remedial works. One of the main access roads going through Springfield was damaged by flood water …

A CONTROVERSIAL social housing development for Tulla is to proceed, after the approval of a Part 8 planning application at this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. The scheme will see 22 homes built at a site in Doonaun in a mix of apartments and houses. The green light was given despite 17 local objections – one of which included a petition signed by 45 local residents – and the decision of Councillor Pat Hayes to vote against the application, when it came before local authority members. The scheme was the subject of some controversy earlier this year when a number of residents sought what is known a ‘screening determination’ from An Bord Pleanála, insisting that the local authority should have submitted a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with the plans. Other residents made submissions directly to the council citing concerns over flooding, the capacity of water services, infringement of privacy and noise disturbance that might be created because of …

A LOCAL tennis club look set to make their own piece of history by becoming the first committee outside of Dublin to provide a permanent covered tennis courts as part of a major development estimated to cost in excess of €740,000. Killaloe Ballina Tennis Club has served up an impressive volley in terms of new facilities with a plan that will make them the envy of clubs throughout Munster once they come to fruition. Officers have already won a number of key matches, having secured planning permission as well as raising a massive €480,00 through fundraising, grants, club funds and donations. The club currently has four tennis courts and this will be increased by another two courts. The club currently has about 250 memberships, which includes a lot of family memberships that allows two adults and two children to use facilities. Club chairman, Patrick Seymour told the Clare Champion once the development is fully completed, it will provide the only …

Irish Water is working in partnership with Clare County Council to restore water supply in the Ennis area following a burst pipe.The areas affected include Gort Road, Barefield, Crusheen and surrounding areas. Crews are have located the burst and are currently carrying out repairs. It is expected that the repair will be completed by 6pm this evening. Full water service may take some time to return as water refills the network. “We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience while our crews work to repair the pipe. Our Customer Care Team is available 24/7 on 1850 278 278 or visit our Supply and Service section for updates and updates will be also be available on Twitter at @IWCare,” spokespeson for Irish Water said.  

“WHEN it comes to learning Irish, everyone has a story,” according Michael McCaughan, Clare County Council’s first Irish Language Officer in six years. “It might be a generational thing, but people very often have baggage that needs to be unpacked. There are bad experiences someone might need to move beyond, not to mention the fact that after spending 14 years learning it in a classroom, we can hardly order a cup of coffee through Irish.” As someone who is not a native speaker himself, Michael is uniquely positioned to understand the hurdles many face when it comes to using more Gaeilge, as well as the multitude of ways that people can enjoy and appreciate the language. His own story of “coming home” to Irish and choosing to live his life through that medium is likely to inspire many. Michael left school with a fluency in French and Spanish, before “a kind of mixture of punk rock and a sense of …

A COUNCILLOR has called on the government to allocate additional resources to repair potholes on the main thoroughfares of towns and village throughout South-East Clare. Councillor Tony O’Brien told a recent Killaloe Municipal District meeting that the roads in several towns and villages have been badly affected by adverse weather, particularly the huge volume of rainfall in February. He said people can go to several towns such as Killaloe, Scariff, Broadford, Whitegate and Tuamgraney and see potholes and areas of disrepair that need to be repaired. Even in the centre of towns like Killaloe, he said the condition of the main streets were in a poor condition. “The road network in the rural areas and urban areas have deteriorated significantly. These roads are in a very bad state of disrepair, particularly since the very wet February. “Potholes are appearing in the middle of towns. These roads and main streets that need to be repaired are not in any Roads Works …