This article is from page 18 of the 2008-05-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
CLARE County Council could net up to €300,000 at public auction next month for the site of a dilapi- dated toilet block in Lahinch with ‘uninterrupted sea views’.
The local authority is behind the sale of what Costelloe Estate Agents describe as a “stunning seaside de- velopment opportunity”.
The small site measures 290 sq me- tres with 23 metres of frontage on to the prom and, according to Cos- telloes, it is zoned ‘other settlement land’ and ideal for mixed residential or commercial scheme.
The proposal to put the toilet block site up for sale was first mooted in July 2006 but delays in obtaining title prevented the council from pro- ceeding until now.
According to local councillor Mar- tin Conway, the time it has taken to secure title will cost the council.
“We are now experiencing a down- turn in the property market and the council has missed the boat in re- ceiving anything up to €400,000 for the site because of the delay. Now the price should be something between €250,000 and €300,000.”
The proceeds from the sale are to go towards the development of Lahi- nch prom and Cllr Conway said he would “cautiously welcome” the pro- posed sale.
“There has been foot-dragging on the redevelopment of the prom and
that is completely unacceptable. It was first talked about in spring 2006, but little has happened on the ground since.
“Lahinch is the poor relation in Clare when it comes to investment. There has been a lot of take from La- hinch, but no giving back.”
A council spokeswoman said there was “absolutely no fault on the coun- cil’s part” in not securing title before now. It is understood the process related to first registration and this generally takes longer than a normal transfer of title.
Work on the resort’s new €234,000 lifeguard station is expected to be complete by early July, while con- sultation continues with 10 local
groups in relation to the redevelop- ment of the prom which includes a new services building as well as improvements in traffic management and car parking.
However, the spokeswoman was unable to state how much the scheme will cost, although she predicted that some elements of the redevelopment will be in place for the 2009 summer season.
The public auction in relation to the toilet site takes place at 3pm at The Old Ground Hotel on June 20.
Last year, the council collected almost €200,000 in parking fees at Lahinch.