This article is from page 17 of the 2008-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
THE Ennis Tennis and Badmin- ton Club has raised child protection concerns in relation to plans for an apartment complex overlooking the club’s tennis courts.
Already, the voluntary housing group Cluid Housing Association has been refused planning permis- sion for an apartment complex on the grounds of Waterville House on the Mill Road in Ennis. The house is the former home of Fine Gael council- lor Johnny Flynn although he did not
sell the property to Cluid.
Cluid has now lodged revised plans seeking to construct new structures of three and four storeys to accom- modate three one-bedroom apart- ments and 11 two-bedroom apart- ments.
Cluid is also seeking to refurbish Waterville House to accommodate two one-bedroom apartments, and for change of use at ground floor lev- el for an office and a meeting room.
John Neylon and Associates, on behalf of the club, states in relation to its child protection concerns, that
balconies forming part of the devel- opment “may provide a vantage point for any adult who wishes to watch our children playing tennis and this raises very serious concerns in rela- tion to child protection”.
The objection goes on: “We have put in place the highest level of child protection practices that any sporting organisation can have in place.
“But the current design could pro- vide places from which objects could be thrown onto the courts, thrown at our members and at the children as they play. The balconies are near
enough to enable any occupant of the applicant’s development to verbally abuse members and to intimidate members, adults and children alike.
“In short, we object most strongly to the presence of overlooking win- dows and balconies of any descrip- tion on the basis of child safety and child protection. Our children are our most important asset, their safety is Our paramount concern.”
The club has also raised child pro- tection concerns over a new gate to the development providing access to the river walk.
The objection states: “With a large junior membership, the club has rig- orous child protection schemes and this purported access into and across our club grounds is of major concern for all members and visitors: be they male, female or junior vis-a-vis pri- vacy, security and child protection.”
The consultants also say that the proposal fails to demonstrate a need for housing. They refer to what they describe as the council’s requirement in relation to single applicants where they are required to demonstrate such a need.