This article is from page 12 of the 2011-07-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council for what has been described as the mid-west’s first driver training school in Ennis.
Martin Fitzgibbon Builders Ltd have applied for planning permission for the development of a driving school including entrance, roadway signs, underground services, perimeter fencing and pre-fabricated office.
According to the application, the two-hectare site at Bunnow, Doora, Quin Road, Ennis, will include a closed network of roadway with roundabout, controlled and uncontrolled junctions.
A report prepared by Complete Site Services explains that the academy will provide “total driver training for people with little or no experience behind the wheel to encounter some of the typical traffic control features in a safe and controlled environment away from other traffic”.
The report, by architect Joe Cahill, continues, “The proposed development would provide much needed employment and I am aware that no other facility of this nature exists in the mid west area.”
According to a flood risk assessment, the site is on the periphery of a flood plain and remains at risk from: flooding from groundwater; flooding via overland flow from adjacent land; flooding from surface water drainage.
The report finds that according to the initial flood risk assessment, “flood risk of the site is considered low”.
Objectors have raised concerns over the potential impact of the proposed driving school on the area. Vincent J Coffey and Sons of Clon Road, Ennis, “respectfully submit that the proposed development contravenes the zoning and aims and objectives of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2008 and must be refused in the circumstances”.
The submission states that land owned by Vincent J Coffey and Sons is currently used as a knackery yard and for agricultural purposes.
The submission continues, “If the development on the other hand is permitted then it will seriously impact on the validity of the whole operation and its continued existence on the site will be seriously at risk.”
Sean J Heeney of Castlewood Park, Ennis operates greyhound kennels opposite the site of the proposed development.
In his submission, Mr Heeney states, “I would point out that to my certain knowledge this site has flooded annually since planning permission was granted for kennels in 1992.”
Mr Heeney says that he was forced to evacuate his dogs in 1999, 2007 and 2009. He states that flooding at the site normally occurs between the end of September until April.
The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government have also raised concerns about the proposed development.
In a report, Paul McMahon of the Development Applications Unit, states, “the department is concerned that the infilling and development of site will reduce the area of floodplain for the river and has the potential to result in the release of pollutants both during and after construction”.
The department has requested further information on the proposed development. This includes a copy of an emergency plan containing a protocol in the event of any pollution incident. The department is also seeking details of full mitigation measures to be put in place to protect all watercourses from contamination during construction.
The department also states that the council should “satisfy itself that the development will not result in the loss of a valuable flood plain”.