This article is from page 4 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A DECISION on whether a supermarket and office development will be allowed to go ahead in Miltown Malbay is expected to be handed down by An Bord Pleanála in the next two weeks.
The appeals board is currently deliberating on the application for the project earmarked for New Line Road in Miltown Malbay – a twostory shop and office development comprising of a supermarket, newsagent, café, off-license, warehouse stores, offices, a basement car park comprising of 49 spaces, a surface car park with 23 places and a new town square.
“The new public square adjoins the entrance to the supermarket/office development and will link to the Main Street via a pedestrian lane, which will comprise of a separate planning application to Clare County Council,” the application states.
Plans for the ambitious project were first submitted by Jim Shannon and Michael Gleeson to Clare County Council in August 2010, but follow- ing five submissions/objections from members of the public, the local authority refused planning on March 16 of this year.
In refusing the permission for the project that would total 4,253 square metres, the Clare County Council planning authority said that the proposed development “by reason of lack of pedestrian connection between the site and the Main Street of Miltown would result in a development which would be functionally detached from the Main Street.”
In addition, planners ruled that the development “would adversely impact on the viability and vitality of the Main Street” and would be “contrary to proper planning and sustainable development of Miltown and the retail planning guidelines issued by the Department of the Environment”.
Following the refusal, an appeal was lodged by Mr Shannon and Mr Gleeson to an Bord Pleanála on April 14, while the decision on future of the project will be given by the appeals board, which should be revealed on August 15 next.