This article is from page 2 of the 2007-09-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE scramble to build business parks around Ennis continues with new plans for a €10 million park near the 12th century Clareabbey.
Plans have been lodged by David Costelloe to develop 74 light indus- trial units.
The proposed development has a total floor area of 25,876 sq metres and is located in the townland of Clonroadmore.
An application by Michael Lynch Ltd for a new road to open up the lands in the area is currently before Ennis Town Council and has encoun- tered local opposition.
The planner’s report lodged with the Clareabbey Business Park states that the proposed development will
be in excess of 103 metres from the Clareabbey structure and that “the buffer will afford adequate protec- tion to the abbey and protect its his- torical setting”’.
The report states that “the proposed development effectively seeks to pro- vide an extension to the Clonroad- more industrial estate”.
The report states, “The proposed development has been carefully de- signed from the project concept tak- ing account of all relevant factors including market demand, planning policy and site constraints and op- portunities.
“It 1s considered that the proposed development will make a positive contribution to the community of Ennis, providing for much needed employment and industry, in ac-
cordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
It continues, ““The exact intended users of the units have not been yet decided. However, it is anticipated that such units would attract users such as carpenters, electricians, till- ers, building contractors or car re- OND ESe
“Traditionally, these users would have operated in uncontrolled en- vironments to the rear of houses in the countryside or in converted ga- rages/sheds as there were no suitable or appropriate alternatives available. The proposed development seeks to address this deficiency and provide for small light industrial units in a planned and controlled environ- ment.”
The site is zoned “other settlement land’. The planner’s report states that “the proposed development of light industrial use at this location will provide additional employment for this rapidly growing and expanding residential area and will also directly compliment the existing Clonroad- more industrial estate which is now fully occupied”.
In relation to the archaeological impact of the development, the de- veloper’s consultants state that the proposed site “has very little or no direct archaeological consequence and taking into account the com- bined results of various research and tests, no further archaeological work is required at this location”’.
A decision is due on the application later this year.