This article is from page 4 of the 2007-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
AN Ennis-based residents’ associa- tion has claimed that the high percent- age of rental properties in their estate is contributing to the ongoing anti-so- cial behaviour problem in the area.
Dun na hInse Residents Associa- tion, in an objection to plans to con- struct 26 terraced homes at Lahinch Road, Ennis, point out that Dun na hInse is primarily a rented estate, with 60 per cent rental property, mostly with absentee landlords.
The objection states, “This has re-
sulted in an ongoing litter problem, ongoing anti-social behaviour and subsequent devaluing of properties.” The residents association has writ- ten numerous letters to Ennis Town Council in this regard. They argue that the impact of 26 more housing units will exacerbate this existing so- cial problem, should the proposed de- velopment of townhouses go ahead. “This has been the trend in all the new estates nationally and we do not intend that our area further deteriorates due to lack of vision, management and responsibility by
our planners. It is incumbent on us as residents to object strong to this development given the history of de- velopment.”
The residents’ association point out that Dun na hInse consists of 131 houses, with Brookville accounting for 40 homes. The residents point out that “what is now a green area, scarce in Ennis town, will be saturated with an additional 26 units…Houses, con- crete walls and railings are not a sub- stitute for green spaces in an already high density environment.
In a separate objection, the Brookville
Residents Association claims that there are no amenities for children. They ask, “What can be more conducive to anti-social behaviour than adding more houses to this already high den- sity area with only one area to serve three housing estates?
“We feel that the combined units of Brookville and Dun na hInse al- ready constitute a high density area with enough social problems of their own. Adding more houses can only increase the problem.”
A decision is due on the application later this year.