This article is from page 20 of the 2005-11-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A WARNING by well-known soci- ologist, Fr Harry Bohan, that plans for student accommodation in Shan- non “are sowing the seeds for serious problems” has failed to prevent the development getting the go-ahead.
An Bord Pleanala ignored the rec- ommendation of its own planner by granting permission to Brook Drive Properties for 35 apartments and a gym and cafeteria to accommodate 140 students at Drumgeely in Shan- non. And Fr Bohan has appealed the eleTert (Oye
In relation to the current proposal, a senior planning inspector with the Board, Brendan Wyse, stated, “It ap-
pears that there is already a signifi- cant shortfall in car parking provi- sion in the Drumgeely area.
“In this context, I do not consider that the proposed 31 spaces, though a considerable advance on the previ- ous proposal, would be an adequate compensation for the loss of an area with a current capacity for at least 60 cars. In conclusion therefore, I do not consider that the revised pro- posal overcomes the second reason for refusal.”
However, this was overturned by the Board which stated: “In decid- ing not to accept the Inspector’s rec- ommendation, the Board considered that there was sufficient car parking on site to facilitate the displaced car
parking serving the existing flats complex together with the proposed development.”
The application is the latest of several attempts to develop the site, which have encountered strong local Opposition.
Earlier this year, Clare County Council granted planning for the development only for a number of local residents, including Fr Bohan, to appeal the decision to An Bord lene
As part of his appeal, Fr Bohan, who lives at Drumgeely, wrote, “I am appealing this decision on so- cial and sociological grounds, but I am very aware of the other serious grounds for appealing it such as con-
travention of the development plan; parking space; road traffic and seri- ous question mark over ownership to the proposal.”
Also appealing in a personal ca- pacity, Fr Bohan — a member of the Clare senior hurling management team — said: “My objection to the proposed development is based on the fact that high density develop- ments of this kind, linked as it would be to 137 existing apartments and 13 houses, 1s sowing the seeds for ser1- ous social problems.
“The proposed development at Drumgeely has serious consequenc- es for people living in that area and indeed for the future development at Shannon.”