This article is from page 2 of the 2008-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
AN Ennis couple have been once more vindicated in their opposition to plans for a mixed-use development on the town’s historic Francis Street.
Last year, Ennis Town Council granted planning permission to Galvin Construction for a mixed-use development on a strategic site at the junction of Francis Street and Clon- road.
The proposal by Galvin Construc- tion Ltd was for the construction of a contemporary office building at the site.
The company had been trying to develop the site for a number of
years, but were stymied in their ef- forts by Vincent and Anne Coffey of Clonroad, who already had an objec- tions against development at the site upheld by An Bord Pleanala.
In 2004, it emerged that the Cof- feys withdrew their objection against an unrelated €20 million housing scheme at the Quin Road, Doora by Luxury Homes (Galway) Ltd af- ter the company paid them £85,000 (€107,930) and gave them two free sites.
The Coffeys operate a business adjacent to the site in Doora and ex- pressed concern over the impact the proposal would have on their devel- e)eeonle
They stated that at no time did they approach the developers with the intention of securing payment of money, gifts, consideration of other inducement.
The Coffeys have a material inter- est in the proposed Francis Street development as they own property adjacent to the site and claim that the scale, massing, design and setting is inappropriate and likely to under- mine wider development in the area.
In the assessment of the applica- tion, the board inspector stated that the proposed development accords with the thrust and emphasis of the Development Plan.
“It is, however, noted that both the
county engineer and town engineer have serious reservations about the development being premature given the need for improvements to the Francis Street pumping station and it is anticipated that construction work will commence in 2009.
‘In the circumstances, even though the planning authority do not feel the proposed improvement works have any bearing on the appeal site, it is considered the works could well have an impact on any future development and this needs to be clarified.”
The proposal was refused as the board considered it premature as 1m- provements are to be carried out to the Francis Street pumping station.