This article is from page 17 of the 2007-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 17 JPG
ENNIS is to get a new bridge across the River Fergus if ambitious new plans by a Galway company are to lpTom usr NER oren
This follows Briarlane Develop- ment Ltd lodging plans for a major extension to the Abbey Hostel near the town’s Club Bridge.
As part of the proposal, the com- pany is seeking permission to erect a footbridge across the River Fergus
to link the development to the Abbey Street carpark.
The developers are proposing a 120-bunkbed extension to the exist- ing hostel building in a four-floor extension which will include res- taurant, internet café and a wine bar with all ancillary services.
The latest application by Briarlane follows An Bord Pleanala refusing the company planning permission for a contentious plan promising to transform the Ennis skyline and
provide a €25 million riverside erate
Earlier this year, Ennis Town Coun- cil gave the go-ahead for the ambi- tious project in spite of warnings from Conservation Officer, Risteard UaCronin that the plan “has the po- tential to do irreparable damage to a very attractive and uniquely ancient oo) TAIAYAN Kenya tae
This was endorsed last September by the appeals board which ruled that the proposal would seriously in-
jure the visual amenities of the area and the character of the architectural heritage area.
The development involved a six- storey building opposite the Abbey Street car-park, as well as a 30-bed- room hotel, 58 apartments and a pedestrian bridge across the River Fergus.
The board also ruled that the pro- posed apartments in one of the apartment blocks would result in poor quality accommodation and
would seriously injure the residential amenities of future occupants and of property in the vicinity.
The new planning application marks the latest attempt by the Gal- way based company to develop the site.
Plans were first lodged to develop the entire site in 2004. This follows a previous application for develop- ment of the site being turned down by the council and An Bord Pleanala new lOey