This article is from page 2 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
AN AMBITIOUS €30 million plan to double the size of Kilmihil has been dramatically scaled back in re- sponse to local concerns.
Last September, Kilmihil Con- struction Ltd lodged plans for 150 residential units, 15 commercial units and a two-storey 50-bed nurs- ing home.
Gerry Johnson of Kilmihil Con- struction said at the time that those choosing to live in Kilmihil would be “halfway to Heaven” being 15 min- utes from a host of beautiful beaches and only 20 minutes from Ennis.
However, the plan comes against the background of the village hav- ing little or no growth in population in recent years with the 2006 census showing that the village’s population increased by just two in four years from 576 to 578 — during the 1996 census period, the village suffered a drop in population of 62.
Kilmihil Community Develop- ment Ltd expressed concerns over the plan and arising from the local opposition, the council asked the de- velopers to submit revised plans.
The company has now scaled back the number of houses from 147 homes to 100 — a drop of almost one third.
The original plan also included 14 commercial units and the revised plan comprises of eight shop units, a supermarket, a warehouse, a tutorial centre, a créche and two offices.
SW slemeveyenl or henmereniconeKmsst-lm leew Kom vised design prepared in response to the further information request fully satisfies the guidance contained in the Urban Design Manual circulated by the Dept of the Environment.
In a fresh objection against the plan, Patrick J O’Connell and Ange- la O’Connell state, “We have grave concerns with a proposal of this type and stature which is not in keeping with a rural traditional village like
Kilmihil as it would overdevelop this area far too quickly.
They add, “We see this occurring in our larger towns and we have no desire to see it occur here. Currently we have a further 80 homes with planning permission for construction and we see that as being more than adequate.”
They add: “It is an accepted fact that the sewerage treatment plant is currently at full capacity and the do- mestic water supply is another con- cern. This proposed development will lead to total chaos.”
A decision is due on the applica- tion later this year.