The market value of a convent and adjoining land owned by an order of nuns in Ennis is set to soar.

This follows the Sisters of Mercy successfully making the case to Clare County Council planners that their accommodation and grounds along Bóthar na Trócaire opposite the Dunnes Stores retail outlet in Ennis be rezoned from ‘community’ to ‘mixed use’ in the new draft Clare County Development Plan.

The Sisters of Mercy employed Ennis firm P Coleman & Associates to advance the case for the rezoning of their landholding.

The submission states that the convent contains 24 ensuite bedrooms, sitting room, sun lounge, kitchen, dining area, reception rooms and chapel.

The subject property is currently zoned ‘community’ in the Clare Development Plan 2017-2023 and the Council was proposing to continue the ‘community’ zoning in the new draft Development Plan 2023-2029.

The Coleman submission sought that the ‘Community’ zoning objective proposed for the property be removed and a zoning objective of ‘Mixed Use’ be applied to the full property in the Clare County Development Plan, 2023-2029.

The Coleman submission states that the request is to allow for the possible redevelopment of the subject property in the future.

The submission argued that the ‘Community’ zoning may not provide for the range of uses which could be considered appropriate for the subject property.

In response, Clare chief executive, Pat Dowling stated that having regard to the central location of the site and the mixed use zoning of the Convent primary school across the road, “I have no objection to the requested change in zoning of the Convent from community to mixed use.”

He said, “This change in zoning objective would allow for a greater range of uses for any potential reuse of the site in the future should such a need arise.”

Mr Dowling said, “One of the purposes of the plan is to form a vision for the overall potential development of the town. While some aspects of this vision may be realised, and others not I think it is important to show the potential in the plan for the town.”

He said, “Often ideas and concepts for development may be in a plan for several years before they are realised. It is important to keep such options open for consideration.”

The submissions made by third parties are due to be debated by members of Clare County Council at a meeting this Thursday (October 20) and the new zoning won’t come into force until members of Clare County Council formally adopt the plan.

While the Sisters were successful in their rezone lobbying, Clare GAA were not, when they sought a rezoning from recreation to residential for some of their lands at Clareabbey, Clarecastle