This article is from page 15 of the 2011-09-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
OPPOSITION to proposed changes in retail policy which could pave the way for the development of large out of town shopping centres will be outlined at a meeting in Ennis tonight.
Ennis Chamber of Commerce has called the meeting to discuss its submission on a proposed variation to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.
The submission, prepared by architect Michael Leahy on behalf of Ennis Chamber, sets out the case against changing the zoning laws to facilitate the development of a new a “district centre” at the junction of the Limerick Road and the Tobertascáin Road.
Mr Leahy states, “Our main concern in respect of the proposed modifications to variation number 2 are in respect of what we see as a significant change of retail policy embodied in the proposal to dramatically change the zoning provision for proposal site number PS7, located at the junction of the Limerick Road and the Tobarteascaun Road. We are also concerned at certain other proposed changes to wordings in the development plan which we believe will have a negative impact on the manner in which future retail proposals are to be assessed.”
The site is currently the subject of a planning application from Michael Lynch Ltd, who is seeking to develop a retail park with Tesco as the anchor tenant. It is estimated that the project could create 500 jobs.
Mr Leahy states that Ennis Chamber “are not making specific comments in regard to that application other than for purposes of illustration or where it appears to us that elements of the proposed modification are being introduced to facilitate that application.
The main concerns of Ennis Chamber, as listed in the submission, are as follows:
(1) The proposal to incorporate a “district centre” into the zoning for proposal site PS7; (2) The proposal to permit direct access and egress on to the Limerick road from proposal site PS7; (3) The proposal to delete the requirement, as contained in na- tional guidelines for the carrying out of a sequential test in the assessment of planning applications for retail uses.
Mr Leahy adds, “We are particularly concerned that the above proposals will have a severely detrimental impact on the retail vitality of the central shopping area of Ennis and that as such it contradicts many aspects of the existing development plan as well as the National Spatial Strategy, the Retail Planning Guidelines and accepted planning principles.”