This article is from page 58 of the 2008-05-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 58 JPG
AN BORD PLEANALA has ig- nored the objections of a number of residents’ associations to give the go-ahead for a €45 million housing development near the O’Keeffe oil depot in Ennis.
Dismissing objections from _ resi- dents in Pine Grove, Oak Park, Wil- low Park, Tobarkeel and Drehid- nagower Road against the 241 house
plan by Michael Lynch Ltd, the ap- peals board also overruled the strong recommendation of its own inspec- tor to refuse the application on four separate counts.
Two years ago, Ennis Town Council granted permission for the scheme at Drehidnagower Road, Lifford, and an inspector’s report into the appeal was delivered in January of last year.
However, in finally making its de- cision on the appeal, the Board has
significantly reduced the number of units in the proposal due to concerns over the impact the development will have on the Ennis floodplain.
The Board ruled that five apartment blocks be omitted and 28 terraced TO leehe
In her report, the inspector said the development was contrary to the En- nis Development Plan because of its excessive density, its inappropriate urban style site layout and its nega-
tive impact on existing houses.
She recommended refusal on the basis that the development didn’t take account of the basic principles of good urban design; would result in a substandard form of development with diminished on site residential amenity; would be out of character and visually obtrusive in the town- scape, with consequent serious injury to the visual amenities of the area.
In deciding not to accept the In-
spector’s recommendation to refuse permission, the Board had regard to the location and zoning of the lands in Ennis and considered that the modifications required addressed the Inspector’s concerns in relation to flooding, traffic safety and the order- ly development of adjoining lands.
The proposed development would, therefore, be 1n accordance with the proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.