This article is from page 2 of the 2011-07-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
COUNCILLORS in Ennis have expressed support for the development of large retail parks on the outskirts of Ennis.
At a special meeting of Ennis Town Council yesterday, members discussed a proposed second variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008-2014.
Thirty-one submissions were received in relation to the variation, which was drawn up in response to concerns raised by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The Department had expressed concern over the amount of land zoned for residential purposes in the Ennis area.
Yesterday, councillors presented a number of modifications to the proposed variation. They included an amendment proposed by Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind), stating, “It is the policy of the Council that, subject to assessment of retail impact PS7 (site at Limerick Road and Clonroadmore) would be a suitable location for a district centre scheme or new large food store.”
He said he was proposing the amendment “in the interest of balanced retail development”.
Cllr Neylon told the meeting that councillors should positively consider developments that have the capacity to create jobs and encourage young people to stay in Clare rather than emigrate.
He said Ennis had lost shoppers from Kilrush and Miltown Malbay to large retail developments in West Clare. He told the meeting that the only new businesses setting up in Ennis town centre are “€ 2 shops, phone shops and betting shops”. He claimed that shoppers are refusing to come to Ennis because of the cost of parking charges.
The proposal was backed by the Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), who told the meeting that he was “pro-development” provided it was on sustainable basis.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) expressed concern over the amendment. He warned that it could lead to a “doughnut effect” whereby jobs would be lost in the town centre. “You would lose a certain amount of vitality from the town centre,” he added.
The amendment, along with others proposed by councillors, will now go back on public display.
Planning permission has been sought by Michael Lynch Ltd for the development of a retail park at five hectares of land at Limerick Road and Tobertascáin.
It is projected that as many as 500 jobs could be created if the development gets the go-ahead. According to planning consultants DPP (Development Planning Partnership), 300 temporary jobs will be created in construction while with a further 200 full-time jobs in retail on completion.