Month: August 2005

THE way is now clear for the provision of a privately run three- storey medical centre, which will form part of a new commercial development on the outskirts of Ennis town centre.

The masterplan being driven by T Sheils & Co for the company’s flagship site on the Ennis-Galway Rd also includes the proposed new McDonalds for Ennis, along with a new supermarket and six two-storey retail units.

The ambitious plan will also see the development of underground and overground car-parking fa- cilities, along with a stand-alone petrol station.

The existing showrooms and shop will be demolished.

With an Bord Pleanala giving the medical centre component the go-ahead, the only remaining aspect of the masterplan yet to get the green-light is the McDonalds drive-thru restaurant, where a de- cision 1s expected in October.

However, as part of the condi- tions attached to the permission, the appeals board has ruled that

the medical centre shall not be occupied until the Ennis by-pass is complete in the interests of traffic safety with the by-pass project not expected to be com- plete by April 2007.

The development – when com- plete – 1s expected to further in- crease the value and profits of the Sheils Company.

The Ford dealer, which has out- lets in Ennis, Limerick and Gal- way, recorded a turnover of €32.5 million to the end of October last year employing 60 people.

Ennis Town Council granted planning permission for the med- ical centre earlier this year, how- ever it was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by local resident, Brian Crowe of 79 Elm Park, Gort Rd, Syabavhy

Mr. Crowe claimed that the de- velopment of the medical centre 22 metres from his home is unac- ceptable.

However, T Sheils & Co point- ed out to the appeals board that the development is in close prox- imity to St Joseph’s Hospital and will provide primary care and personal social services.

The company stated: “This is in keeping with the 2001 Health Strategy issued by the Depart- ment of Health and Children.”

They also argued that the pro- posal is not significantly higher than the existing dwellings, nor in close proximity, therefore over- shadowing will not be significant and therefore the proposed devel- opment will not seriously injure residential amenity.

As aresult of the inspector’s de- cision to grant planning permis- sion, the Board ruled that “having regard to the zoning of the site of the proposed development in the current Development Plan for the area and the pattern of develop- ment in the area.

“It 1s considered that the pro- posal would be compatible with other permitted uses, would not seriously injure residential amen- ity and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and con- venience.

“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accord- ance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

YOUNGSTERS in Shannon with a love for music are set to take the stage on Friday evening.

Five bands — Babylon Gigolos, Nix- on’s Mother, The Xenos, Glitterbill and the Starfish & Profound — will perform at the Respond Community Building, Rineanna View, in Shannon between 7

Nereus heje)e0e

The event is organised by the Clare Youth Service Shannon Bands Project Committee which aims to provide op- portunities for young people in Shan- non interested in performance.

Two of the bands have been invited from the Ennis Bands Project and the other three are local Shannon bands.

The gig is strictly alcohol and drug Gules

THE TIDY Towns committee in Shannon has hit out at thoughtless individuals who stole plants from pots in two parts of the town.

A huge effort has taken place around the town for the tidy towns competition, adjudication for which has been taking place in re- cent weeks.

The progress has been hindered by the work of people who took the plants. Gold and yellow marigolds were stolen from Rossbracken and red begonias were taken from out- side the Town Hall.

“We were livid. We had to re- place them. A couple of dozen of plants were taken. I just cannot understand how someone could come along and lift them out of their pots. We had to replace them but hopefully the judges weren’t around when the plants were gone,” said acting chairperson of the Tidy

Towns committee Tess Barry.

“We were very disappointed as we wanted them to look good. It isn’t young people who are doing NOD ISMAMECD OL oMAV6 (6 (0x0 B

The act was particularly annoy- ing for the Tidy Towns committee, as effors were being made to im- prove on last year’s performance. Then, while an improvement of six points was scored, the litter section showed a poor performance.

“We did well last year and hope- fully the litter is better this year than last year as a big effort has been made by all of the residents associations, particularly those in Corrib Drive and Fergus,’ added SRSB or huas

SY NToML NOUR Ole) B eae MBDLAKO Mme DKOCOE should be appointed in Shannon, to deal with the general litter problem throughout the town.

The adjudication for the Tidy Towns competition has been com- pleted and the results are due to be

announced in Dublin on Septem- ber 12.

Factors such as overall develop- ment approach, landscaping, wild- life and natural amenities, litter control, tidiness and the condition of residential areas, roads, streets and back areas will all be taken into account.

Shannon scored 233 points last year. Quin scored 234, Sixmileb- ridge scored 223 and Newmarket- on-Fergus won 212 points. Efforts have been made in each of these ar- eas and all will be hoping for good results this year.

Meanwhile, judging for the best- kept estates will take place in Shan- non this weekend. The Inis Ealga and Ballycaseymore Residents Associations are both entered. The newly-formed Rossbracken Residents Association is expected to enter the competition next year, having missed out on this year’s deadline.

THE second annual Seisiun na hHireann, a festival of traditional Irish music, will take place in Quin at the end of September. Tra- ditional music events will take place in four pubs in the village over the week- end — Malachy’s, The Abbey Tavern, The Vil- lage Inn and The Monks Well Inn.

The event follows on from a hugely successful inaugural festival last year. This year’s prize fund has

increased to €8,000, while pubs taking part will also be presented with plaques.

In total, 18 groups of renowned and upcoming musicians took part last year, with O’Connor’s pub in Doolin emerging as the overall winners. Enquiries have been flowing in for this year’s festival, with entries from all over the world.

In addition to the com- petitions, there will also be open sessions in the pubs over the weekend and a ceili in the local com-

munity hall on Saturday night.

‘The festival is open to people of all ages. We have had enquiries from people as far away as New York. There will be good vari- ety, with song and dance, along with an element of humour. There will be something for everyone,’ said organiser Eileen Has- sett.

The event will be offi- cially launched on Satur- day, September 3, with an open air event at Malachy’s bar.

IN RESPONSE to concerns expressed by local _ resi- dents, An Bord Pleanala this week turned down planning permission for contentious plans to provide accommo- dation for students at Drum- geely, Shannon.

Earlier this year, Anthony Fitzpatrick was refused plan- ning permission by Clare County Council for 32 accom- modation units at Drumgeely after strong opposition by lo- cal residents.

Along with the 32 units, Mr Fitzpatrick also lodged plans for a basement car parking area for 54 spaces and two tennis courts which are to be constructed over the car park area.

In response to the Coun- cil decision, Mr Fitzpatrick lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, claiming that he is providing substantial com- munity facilities within the area in line with Ministerial Directives and National Strat- egy and that the scheme will serve to facilitate the College of Hotel and Catering Man- agement.

Mr Fitzpatrick also claimed

that the design of the develop- ment is respectful of the sur- rounding built form and fur- ther claimed that the Council has not given fair considera- tion of the application, nor the planned strategic development of residential and community uses in this area.

However, in submissions made to An Bord Pleanala by Drumgeely Residents Asso- ciation and Derek Barrett, it is claimed there is no comfort that the units will not be sold as private apartments. They also express concern over the disruption caused by construc- tion of the apartments.

However, in his assessment, the Board Inspector concluded that the proposal would be a material contravention of the Development Plan.

The Inspector also stated that he was “extremely con- cerned” with the proposal for access into the proposed de- velopment, and the proposal for car parking within the scheme.

In refusing planning per- mission, the appeals board ruled that proposed develop- ment constitutes overdevelop- ment of this central area of Open space within an estab-

lished residential scheme. The proposed development would result in a significant and un- acceptable loss of amenity within this residential area, and would have a significant and adverse impact on the res- idential amenity of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of detour acre

It also ruled that the pro- posed development is located on lands zoned primarily to conserve and enhance land for Open space and amenity pur- poses in the South Clare Eco- nomic Corridor Local Area Plan. The proposed develop- ment would materially contra- vene this zoning objective.

The Board also found that the proposed tennis courts, having regard to their prox- imity to a number of the apartments, would seriously injure the amenities of future residents by reason of noise and general disturbance. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and_= sus- tainable development of the

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A CLARE village which has undergone a population explosion has three fewer gardai than it had when just 150 people Tere dats) Ken

There is now just one garda on duty in Quin and he can be called to Shannon to assist there if the need arises.

A car burned out in the middle of the village on Sunday night is just one ex- ample of why more gardai are needed to protect and patrol the village, which has grown from 150 inhabitants to more than 1,000, locals say.

“When I was young, this village had four gardai. Now we have just one and he is regularly called away to duties elsewhere.

“The garda we have does a very good job, but he can’t be two places at once,” said Sonny Scanlan, Fine Gael Council- lor for Quin and Deputy Mayor.

‘This is one of the fastest growing ar- eas in Clare and we need more gardai.

“We would also like to see any extra garda brought-in, living in the area,” said the councillor.

Cllr Scanlan said that locals and their representatives have waged a long cam- paign for more policing in the town.

“The Government promised to pro- vide 2,000 extra gardai but there has been no sign of any coming here.

“I have spoken to senior officers and they tell me they believe we will not have another member sanctioned for Quin,” said Cllr Scanlan.

The councillor added that it was someone from outside the Quin area who was responsible for the arson at- tack on the car.

“But you do not know what will hap- pen from day to day and we need more gardai,” Cllr Scanlan said.

AN Ennis businessman will not be able to start work on ambitious plans to convert the well-known Edenvale House residence into a luxury guesthouse until April of next year.

This is due to the presence of rare protected bats on the 18th TACT YAS Ikon

Clare County Council has at- tached a number of measures to ensure the continued conserva- tion of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, to its decision to grant planning permission to Martin Cullinan c/o Club Dangan, Ennis to trans- form the historic house into a guesthouse.

The site is of international 1m-

portance to the conservation of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Edenvale House is part of a Spe- cial Area of Conservation (SAC), due to having a large number of the protected bats at three dif- ferent locations in the area at Edenvale cave, Newhall cave and Edenvale house farm buildings.

According to an expert report, the two cave systems in winter contain more than 5% of the na- tional population in winter, while the number of Lesser Horseshoe bats found in the SAC during the most recent survey last January was 388.

In his plan, Mr Cullinan is also seeking to extend the main house, which is a protected structure.

In granting Mr Cullinan per-

mission, the Council has ruled that he cannot carry out any de- velopment works between Octo- ber and March inclusive to avoid any impacts on the bat popula- tion or on their breeding season.

With receipt of the Council’s decision, Mr Cullinan must now wait four weeks before the final grant of permission allowing time for any appeals to An Bord Pleanala to be lodged.

This ensures that no works can commence until next April at the earliest if there is no appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

Mr Cullinan also has to submit to the Council prior to the com- mencement of development full details of all conservation meas- ures.

STUDENTS faced with the scary prospect of their first year in col- lege will be helped by NUI Galway Students’ Union with advice on finding accommoda- tion, and how to prepare for coming to college.

The Union will be providing articles giv- ing practical tips, such as asking parents for simple recipes, learning how to use the washing machine before leaving home and what to buy in advance of coming to college.

“Starting university is a very exciting time in the life of any stu- dent. However, it can be a very daunting experi- ence, especially those weeks between the Leaving Cert results, the CAO offer and reg- istration in the chosen third level institution. Through these articles, we ll help you through what you should be doing to prepare for the months ahead, for example, sourcing ac- commodation, or find- ing your way in the first few days,” said com- munications Oya ELee me John Hynes.

KILRUSH Deputy Mayor Stephen O’Gorman, has ex- pressed fears that the extra PE VKOL DROS UR MAE- DERIK BESLOM KO the town, will be transferred out, once current anti-social behaviour 1s dealt with. Mayor O’ Gorman’s daugh- ter numbered among the vic- tims of the trouble, when she was assaulted last month. MAB tlererO NO Teom ey. @ne: ox DKON permanently,’ Cllr O’Gorman said. “The fear now is that if the gardai are taken out of the

town it will all start again.”

“We need a strong Garda presence in the town. We need them walking the beat Ode: kes A 00 Evan oye ae

A concentrated Garda op- eration ended a spate of in- cidents in which acid was thrown on cars by _ local elutes

But, Cllr O’Gorman has called on the Garda to go af- ter the “source and core of the

problem”. He said many of the young people involved in_ these

crimes are vulnerable to the

influences of “wise guys”, who keep their distance from Wom erun Selene

“These people don’t care about authority,’ he said.

Cllr O’Gorman sits on many committees and boards trying to provide educational Opportunities and activities for the youth of the town.

“We tried to solve the anti- social problems through mul- ti-agencies.

“A lot of the agencies don’t want to or can’t commit themselves to the projects however,’ he said.

A FRESH attempt by a north Clare-based couple to save their restaurant building from demolition has been thwarted by Clare County Council.

The council’s Planning De- partment refused Wolfgang and Sibylle Dietl permission to retain as a language cen- tre the restaurant building they built without planning at Newtown, Ballyvaughan

In a decision on Friday, the council ruled that the bid to change the Holywell restau- rant into a language centre, comprising two classrooms, a study, games room and stu- dents’ dining area, was con- trary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The council ruled that the development would seriously injure the visual amenities and natural integrity of the area and would create an un- desirable precedent for fur- ther commercial development on this site and in the Burren countryside.

The decision is the latest in a series of planning set- backs for the couple. In the past year, they were refused planning permission by the council and An Bord Pleanala for the retention of the restau- rant. This forced them to seek alternative premises for their business.

In a bid to avoid having the

restaurant building demol- ished and to expand their lan- guage school, the plans were lodged to retain the building as a language school.

The decision by the council represents a u-turn on their decision last year to allow the Dietls planning retention for the restaurant. This was only refused by An Bord Pleanala

after then competitors, Helen Laftan and Barry Richards of Tri na Cheile restaurant, ap- pealed the decision.

In their submission to the council on the current appli- cation, the Dietls’ consult- ants argued that the proposed change of use “will represent a significant reduction in the use of the site’.

They claimed that the pro- posal “will ease any existing pressures on local traffic and

VAUD ME ASSL MDO MSI OIUUM DO TCM NOE: T ME Le on-site waste water treatment systems will operate within the limits and constraints of the discharge license”’.

This week, Sibylle Dietl told