This article is from page 2 of the 2011-08-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE grounds of the former Our Lady’s Hospital have been identified as a potential new site for the Ennis Educate Together National School.
The school, which is located opposite the former psychiatric hospital on the Gort Road, caters for around 190 students.
Attempts to find a new site for the school have been ongoing after a proposal to purchase and re-develop the existing site at Cois na hAbhna five years ago proved unsuccessful.
In July members of Ennis Town Council recommended that a report on a proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan be amended to extend the range of uses at Our Lady’s Hospital to include the text medical centre / hospital use.
A new report on proposed modifications to the proposed variation indicates a high number of potential uses for the Our Lady’s site, which is considered to have a “central role in the growth and development of the Clare economy”.
The report states that the site could be used for “technology-related business park, international services, research and development, education, railway station, road link, open space, hotel and ancillary uses, residential with ancillary small-scale retail, medical centre/ hospital use”.
In a reference to potential education uses at Our Lady’s, the report states, “A portion of the site has been identified for the possible relo- cation of the Ennis Educate Together School, and adequate lands exist to facilitate such development”.
The report explains that there are a number of uses currently on the site “but the main building, the former hospital, and vacant land to the rear, are unused”.
The report continues, “There is substantial scope for regeneration of the site and a high quality office complex has recently been completed. The site is considered to have a central role in the growth and development of the Clare economy.
It adds, “The site’s location adjacent to the railway line and its potential for employment creation and commuter trip attraction is such that a new station should be included in any development proposals. This is to assist with Plan objectives to encourage sustainable development and travel and to assist in the continuing revitalisation of the Limerick to Galway railway.”
According to the report the main building lends itself to residential apartment use including a retirement village complex.
It states, “The building is a Protected Structure and any redevelopment for this purpose will have to respect its existing architectural character.”
The report along with all proposed amendments to the proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan (2008-2014) are now on public display.
The final date for submissions and observations is September 9.