This article is from page 53 of the 2007-03-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 53 JPG
CLARE County Council has refused planning permission for a housing development in west Clare because it interferes with the defunct west OE Teoma Dea e ha eneler
The planning authority refused outline planning permission to M&S Bond for outline planning permis- sion for 16 homes at Dough, Kilkee.
The council made its ruling after an objection was lodged against the proposal by the West Clare Railway
company and the council’s Conser- vation Officer, Risteard UaCronin.
Mr Ua Cronin said, 1n an internal memo now released with the deci- sion, that “it appears from the draw- ings that it is proposed to construct the homes on the former west Clare DOME RYas DDO Loa
He said, “This appears very inap- propriate as plans are very much advanced to provide a steam railway service between Kilkee and Kilrush which will require this section of the line to be protected for this pur- eNom
Mr UaCronin pointed out that the line was protected through the Clare County Development and the West Orewa ter walle
The planner’s report points out that the “development is located on the line of the old west Clare railway where it is the policy to safeguard the route of the railway and to con- serve and promote it as a transport corridor for public use”’.
It ruled that the plan would be prej- udicial to the proper planning and development of the area.
“The proposed development rep-
resents piecemeal haphazard, dis- orderly development and conflicts with the long-term sustainable and comprehensive development of these lands.”
According to Jackie Whelan of the West Clare Railway Company, “This application would allow for the de- struction of part of the original track bed of the west Clare railway in or- der to provide a road access to the site.
“We have understood that the track bed of the development may take place upon it unless the development
is of a heritage and recreational na- ture, leaving the whole, existing way open to the general public for recrea- tional walking, riding, cycling pur- Leon mel Ken
“Indeed, two citizens have, during the past 12 months, fallen foul of this directive and have been required to replace the track bed that they in- tended to, and partly, destroyed.
“We believe that our plans are in accordance with the council’s inten- tion for the line and that the track bed of the railway should be left alone,” said Mr Whelan.