Traffic-calming sought for new Clonlara housing

TRAFFIC-calming measures should be provided as part of a new local authority housing development in Clonlara, according to a local county councillor.

Clare county councillors approved plans for the construction of 12 new houses at Knockbrack Lower, Clonlara at a meeting on Monday following a Part Eight proposal, which is less than half what was originally proposed.

A Part Eight proposal for the construction of 25 houses with ancillary services at Knockbrack Lower was approved at a council meeting on October 13, 2008. It was proposed by Councillor Tony O’Brien and seconded by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald.

However, the council was forced to submit a new Part Eight proposal to its own planning section after receiving an allocation to fund the development of just 12 dwellings at the same site.

Speaking at a council meeting on Monday, Councillor Begley requested a commitment from the council to provide measures to slow down traffic, which would benefit existing and new residents in the locality. He explained this would improve the safety of about 31 children in 45 houses.

He proposed this new housing scheme should be used as a pilot project for the provision of LED lighting, which would reduce electricity usage and could be rolled out to other communities.

He also asked if the tendering qualification process is at the discretion of the council or is it subject to strict guidelines laid down by the Department of the Environment.

Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said it would make sense to provide the traffic-calming measures now as the new scheme is being built instead of putting it on the long finger.

Director of services, Bernadette Kinsella explained the housing department would not provide funding for roads. However, she pledged to discuss the possibility of providing traffic-calming measures with the area engineer and also said the authority could examine if LED lighting is feasible. 

Three house types are proposed. Type A is a semi-detached single-storey house; Type B is a semi-detached two-storey house, while Type C is a detached cottage.

According to the plans, the provision of the pedestrian access from the Derryvinna estate and the connection to the existing laneway makes a positive contribution to the neighbourhood.