Tag Archives: Clare planning permissions

THE architectural significance of Quin has been safeguarded by the planning appeals board, who have rejected attempts to erect a mast of over 20 metres in height in the village. The decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission to Vantage Towers for a telecommunications tower at Quinville South has copper-fastened a refusal late last year by Clare County Council.  An inspector from the board recommended rejection of the appeal, and this was backed by the executive of An Bord Pleanála. A direction from the board found that the tower “would have an adverse effect on the character of the Quin Architectural Conservation Area, and would seriously detract from and injure the visual amenities of the area”. The direction added that in terms of the visual impact, the closeness to the ACA and the village, the proposed lattice tower did not comply with either the guidelines on telecommunications structures or those on the protection of architectural heritage. It concluded that …

OBJECTORS to plans for the construction of a new housing development in an historic Ennis area designated an Opportunity Site in the County Development Plan have insisted they don’t want it to become an “opportunity lost”. Two separate appeals by residents against the proposal have now been lodged with An Bord Pleanala following the granting of permission by Clare County Council to Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ of 37 residential units and a cafe with digital working hub at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. An appeal has been lodged by Mary Burke and Pat Conboy who have purchased and are renovating a property on Carmody Street. In a previous submission to the council during the initial planning application, they argued that the proposed density of the development “will entirely destroy the fabric of this neighbourhood.” And a separate appeal, lodged by local Stephen Loftus …

A HOUSING development planned for Tuamgraney is now the subject of six separate objections, including one from a local residents’ association. In April, developer Michael Pearl applied for permission to demolish an existing pumping station and built 52 houses, in a mix of bungalows and two-storey units, on a site of just under four hectares on the Dock Road. A submission from the Reddan’s Quay Residents has outlined six grounds of objection. These are the principle of development; over-development; housing design and layout; traffic and pedestrian safety; flooding; and environmental impact. The submission described Tuamgraney as having “a small close knit community of residents” and said that large scale developments had not been built, despite the fact that some have had the benefit of planing permission. The residents’ objection contended that the proposed 52-home estate “will have a severe impact upon the physical and social fabric of the village”. The document expressed the fear that Tuamgraney could become a “commuter …

AN APPROVED housing body seeking to build 11 social houses and two apartments in Mountshannon has been sent back to the drawing board by Clare County Council. In March, Inis Housing Association lodged plans for housing of varying size and design, and a single building containing the two apartments. The site, which is three quarters of a hectare, is close to St Caimin’s Church of Ireland on Main Street. After an initial assessment of the plans, the Council has now requested Further Information on nine aspects of the project.  Planners said that “having regard to the scale, extent and location of the proposed development, it is possible that subsurface archaeological remains could be encountered during the construction phase” of the works.  They have asked that Inis Housing Association to commission an Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) involving test excavations. The request follows a submission on the project from The Development Applications Unit (DAU) of the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local …

CONCERNS that a scenic part of Tuamgraney could be turned into a “concrete jungle” have been raised in a submission on a major housing development proposed for the village. Last month, developer Michael Pearl applied for permission to demolish an existing pumping station and built 52 houses, in a mix of bungalows and two-storey units, on a site of just under four hectares on the Dock Road. To-date, one detailed submission has been made by a resident of Reddan’s Quay who has listed 15 concerns about the proposal. The objection raised concerns about “considerable increases in the level of flooding at Reddan’s Quay”. It said that additional housing would reduce the capacity of the land to absorb flood waters. The document has also raised concern about the adequacy of screening reports on the potential environmental and flooding impact of the development. The submission outlined that residents of the area have already experienced difficulty securing house insurance due to their proximity …

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld a previous decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for 48 houses at Smithstown. It also reduced the amount the developer is required to pay in advance by €45,000. An order from its board said that subject to compliance with a number of conditions, “the proposed development would constitute an acceptable quantum of development, housing mix and appropriate density for the area”. The planning board ruled that it would not adversely impact on the residential amenities of adjoining properties or the amenities and operation of the hotel to the south of the site and would not constitute project splitting nor generate a traffic hazard. “The proposed development would, therefore be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” the report stated. It upheld a view that the developer should pay €137,000 for 250 metres of 5.5 metres road, and €50,000 for a junction upgrade. However, it ruled that a …

HOUSING planned for Tulla will create 42 construction jobs and bring an investment of around €3.75 million to the East Clare town, if given the green light. The assertion was made by Woodhaven Developments which is looking to build 36 new homes on a greenfield site, close to Glebe House, on Church Road. The company, which has already secured permission for 17 houses and a commercial centre nearby, on the site of the former St Joseph’s Secondary School, told planners the development will help to meet housing need in Tulla. The site is just over 1.5 hectares and the housing density proposed equates to 23 homes per hectare. Woodhaven has noted that, on sites like this, the guidelines would recommend a range of 30 to 50 units per hectare. The company has argued that the location of the site on the edge of town, inside the speed limit, means a lower-density estate should be allowed. The application has also warned …

FIVE individual appeals have been lodged to An Bord Pleanala against the decision by Clare County County to grant planning permission for a residential development near an Ennis retirement village. The local authority gave planning permission in March to Leadlane (Drumbiggle) Ltd to construct 56 residential units on lands to the west of Pairc na Coille Retirement Village in Drumbiggle. However the plans are now on hold as five separate third party appeals have been lodged with the planning board. Issues raised in the appeals include fears by residents of the Willsgrove housing estate in Ennis that the council will in the future create a pedestrian/cycle link between the estate and the new development. The link, which was opposed by residents, had been removed from the proposal during the planning process. In assessing the application planners with the local authority outlined a concern that without the inclusion of the proposed pedestrian link the development would constitute a cul-de-sac. Willsgrove resident …