This article is from page 11 of the 2007-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
THE Diocese of Killaloe “has no 1m- mediate plans” to sell the lands oc- cupied by the Ennis residence of the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.
A spokesman for the diocese said yesterday, “There are no immediate plans to sell Westbourne or the lands here. It is the Bishop’s residence and also accommodates the diocesan of- fice.”
The spokesman said that if the St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust didn’t explore the possibilities with the land owned by the diocese, its members could be held in breach.
Last week, it emerged that the trust was seeking to have the eight acres of prime development land at Bishop Walsh’s Westbourne residence re-
zoned for mixed-use development to allow residential, commercial and retail activities take place at the site.
The surprise move would greatly increase the value of the lands and raise the prospects of shops and busi- nesses being developed on the site.
‘There are very onerous responsi- bilities attached to acting on behalf of the trust and I’m sure if these possi- bilities weren’t explored, there would be questions down the road from the Commission of Bequests and Dona- tions,” the spokesman added.
The planner’s response to the Church request pointed out that the site is an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and that the residence, Westbourne House, is a protected Habel Abb Ken
The spokesman also confirmed that
the trust made a submission in rela- tion to all diocesan property in the greater Ennis area.
“Zoning of land has only come into force in recent years and we are ex- ploring what zonings should apply,’ he said.
The request to rezone lands at Dr Walsh’s residence is one of a series of applications by the Diocesan Trust in the Ennis area.
The trust also lobbied the council to rezone lands at Station Road in Ennis, the Maria Assumpta Hall, a scout hall and some space near the St Peter and Paul Cathedral.
The review of the Ennis and Envi- rons Development Plan is due to be discussed by members of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council at their May meetings.