This article is from page 20 of the 2008-03-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
PLANS to demolish one of Clare’s best known hotels to make way for a mixed residential and commercial development is facing widespread opposition in Liscannot.
Earlier this year, Derek, Alan and Petra Logue lodged plans to demol- ish the Liscannor Bay Hotel and, in its place, construct 41 residential units and 444 sq m of retail space.
The Logue are planning to con- Struct six three-bedroom homes, 20 two-bedroom homes, 14 three-bed- room homes and one two-bedroom duplex unit. The Logues are also planning 1,477 sq metres of base- ment parking.
The Liscannor Bay Hotel is located on an elevated site with panoramic views of Lahinch bay and lies adja- cent to Liscannor harbour.
However, the application has prompted a large number of objec- tors to raise their concerns with Clare County Council over the plan.
In one objection on behalf of a number of residents, they claim that the development would have an ad- verse visual impact on the village and its character and would not be appropriate to its setting.
The objection continues that the
development would unbalance the village due to its size and proposed usage and would, therefore, have a detrimental impact on the settlement. They also claim that the development does not comply with the local area plan and that it 1s premature pending the upgrade in sewerage services in the village.
The objectors also claim that there is no need at present for the scale of commercial activity proposed by the harbour; the development is not a tourism development product and will not add to community life in the village in any comprehensive way.
A separate objection points out that Liscannor has been waiting over a decade for improved waste-water infrastructure. The objection states, “No development of this scale should take place until a new, local authority managed facility is in place.”
The objection adds, “It must be re- membered that without the residents and community spirit of Liscannor, it would not be as attractive a place to come on holidays. This very re- source 1S being degraded with the steady dilution of the village char- acter by excessive and inappropriate developments.”
A decision is due on the application next month.