This article is from page 10 of the 2011-10-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE Save Ennistymon’s Heritage group say they will use similar tactics to those used by the West Coast Surf Club should a Part 8 planning permission be granted to demolish the historic listed buildings at Blakes Corner in Ennistymon.
Members of the West Coast Surf Club last month halted the development by Clare County Council of a new pier in Doolin by using a Bord Pleanála regulation to force the local authority to commission an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.
It was only the fourth time in the history of the state that this method was used to overturn a Part 8 planning permission and has resulted in major delays in the construction of the pier and ensured that entire project will have to go before the planning board again before it can be officially ratified.
“We are looking at a variety of options open to us at the moment. Part 8 planning means that the council can proceed with the demolition of the iconic and listed Blakes Corner without any reference to any external body. Further to this no appeal can be made to an mBord Pleanála,” said Denis Vaughan of Save Ennistymon’s Heritage.
“We are receiving legal advice on this but we are encouraged by recent events at Doolin Pier where a Part 8 was successfully overturned.
“We consider this move excessive and undemocratic and stinks of dic- tatorship. Why don’t the council proceed with the normal planning process? What are they trying to hide in not publishing the Southgate Report on Blakes Corner?”
A consultant’s report was completed on the development earlier this year but it is still unclear whether Clare County Council intend to circulate the findings of that report to its elected members before a Part 8 planning application comes before the council.
It is likely that the elected mem- bers of Clare County Council will be asked to vote on the Part 8 planning permission at the December or January meeting of Clare County Council.
Local councillor Bill Slattery (FG) yesterday called for a speedy resolution to the impasse at Blakes Corner.
“Whatever decision is reached by Clare County Council, I would like to see a resolution brought to the very serious health and safety risk and the traffic gridlock that these two buildings are causing for pedestrians, mo- torists and school children who are crossing the road at this dangerous junction,” said Cllr Slattery.
A spokesperson from Clare County Council said that it was up to “Save Ennistymon Heritage and the public in general to decide how they wish to react to proposals or decisions made and put into the public arena in relation to Blakes Corner”.
The spokesperson also confirmed that Clare County Council has not yet made any application in relation to Blakes Corner.