This article is from page 14 of the 2007-07-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE developers of a €30 million re- tail park for Shannon have appealed Clare County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for the proposal to An Bord Pleanala.
Last month, the council refused planning permission to Greenbrand Investments and Sean Halpin after it ruled that the plan would be pre- mature pending the preparation of a masterplan for the area.
The mixed-use retail park develop- ment consists of a DIY anchor store, garden centre, three retail warehous- es, 10 retail units, eight office units and one department store.
A decision was due on the applica- tion in June of last year. However, the developers have requested a year- long extension for the council to fur- ther consider the proposal.
The developers deferred a decision on the application after a planner’s report into the scheme recommended that planning permission be refused on two grounds.
On this occasion, the developers accepted the council’s ruling and
are now seeking that the planning appeals board make a ruling on the scheme.
In the appeal, consultants for the developers state that “this proposal will provide a retail service for the people of Shannon and will also fill an identified retail need, currently not available in town’.
It continues, “It is anticipated that the proposal will create a significant number of jobs at both construction and operational level, representing a significant boost to the local econo- ve ae ‘Furthermore, the proposed devel- opment was subject to a number of discussions with the council over the last two to three years.
“At the advice of the council, the applicants deferred lodging the ap- plication on a number of occasions to facilitate amendments to the de- velopment plan and the preparation of a masterplan for the area.
“The masterplan adoption was not however progressed in the timescale advised.”
A decision is due on the appeal early next year.