This article is from page 15 of the 2007-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
THE Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia Mc- Carthy and former Clare hurler, Brian Lohan have re-iterated their opposition to contentious plans to establish a ‘ca- sino-style’ operation in Shannon. Earlier this year, the council re- fused planning permission to John O’Donovan to establish a “sports and leisure emporium’ at Bru Na Sionna, Shannon. After opposition from Cllr McCarthy and Mr Lohan, the coun- cil refused planning permission hav-
ing regard to the nature of the pro- posed development and character of the surrounding area.
The proposal would reduce the attrac- tiveness of the area and would impact negatively on the residential amenities of the adjacent properties which are lo- cated and whose balconies are located within 20 metres of the facility.
Describing the proposal as essen- tially a ‘casino’, the council also ruled that the location of the proposed fa- cility outside Shannon would materi- ally contravene the South-East Clare
Development Plan.
The plan states that developments of amusement arcades or similar estab- lishments must be located within or immediately adjacent to town centres. The council concluded, ““The proposed development would therefore be con- trary to the proper planning and sus- tainable development of the area.”
Now Mr O’Donovan has lodged a revised plan and, in response, con- Sultants for Mr Lohan stated, “The only difference between the previous application and the present applica-
tion as far we understand is a differ- ence in the description of the pro- posed use which remains assembling and gambling activities.
‘The proposed new use is incom- patible with the designated office and retail use of this building. It will not create desirable synergies and also it will introduce undesirable congrega- tion of people in the vicinity of our chent’s property and will therefore be damaging to his business and oth- er businesses around.”
In her submission, Cllr McCarthy
said, “The proposed change of use would not be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area. The proposed development would be a source of nuisance and annoyance in a predominantly residential area.”
She added, “The proposed develop- ment would lead to increased noise and disturbance in a predominantly residential area and the proposed de- velopment would lead to increased traffic movements in the area.”
A decision is due on the application later this year.