This article is from page 36 of the 2008-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
THE DEPARTMENT of the En- vironment has told Clare County Council that over 60 homes will have to be excluded from the €200 mil- lion plan to create a new suburb on the outskirts of Ennis.
Last month, Ennis developers, Crystal Partners lodged plans for 471 residential units in the first phase of a masterplan that will ultimately de- liver 700 new homes in the Gaurus area on the eastern outskirts of En- nis. When fully occupied, the first phase of the housing development will almost double the current popu- lation of the Doora parish of around
Pelee
The plan is facing opposition from locals and now the Department of the Environment has recommended that the plan be scaled back by 63 homes.
In a submission to the council, the department expressed serious con- cerns about the loss of wetland habi- tat that will be infilled and lost as a result of the proposed development ‘This is a Serious concern in relation to cumulative loss of wetlands and flood storage to the south and east of Ennis. Apart from a small area that will be retained, the ecological and hydrological assessments of the site have not informed the layout and de- sign of the proposed development to
any significant extent
To reduce loss and fragmentation of wetland habitats, the department rec- ommended that at a minimum, the 63 houses be relocated or excluded from the overall development.
The department also raised con- cerns on the impact the development could have on the EU Protected Lesser Horseshoe bat.
According to the department, the site 1s important for bats in general and supports a bat roost, described as a minor night roost, which would be demolished as part of the devel- opment. The roost is used by the Lesser Horseshoe bat and by Brown Longeared Bats.
The department is also concerned about increased disturbance and negative effects on the new bat house at Knockaskibole, which was built as part of the Ennis bypass project.
In a separate submission, An Taisce
expresses concern over the fact that so many large housing estates are being built with or without services are being developed in the Ennis and Environs area ‘According to the latest census, 16- 21 per cent of dwellings within the area are still vacant and less than 40 per cent of the inhabitants who live in Ennis work in Ennis
A decision is due on this applica- tion next month.