This article is from page 15 of the 2007-08-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
VETERAN Fianna Fail councillor, Peter Considine will have to wait until 2008 to learn whether he will receive planning permission to con- struct four homes on his landholding outside Ennis.
A decision was due last Thursday on the application by Cllr Considine for outline planning to construct four homes at Drumadreheid, Ennis.
However, Cllr Considine sought an extension to the time in which the council would make its decision until February 7, 2008.
In a note to the council’s planning department, Cllr Considine request- ed the six-month extension to allow the council consider the application. Usually, when applicants seek an extension, it indicates that there are planning hurdles associated with the application.
Cllr Considine purchased 25 acres of land at Drumadrehid in 1993. The sites are not subject to strict council planning rules that apply to lands in the open countryside on the outskirts of Clare’s main population centres. There are a series of such “develop- ment clusters” across the county that allow the lands to be zoned for hous- ing development. Clusters are usually designated when there are already a number of homes built in the area.
Ironically, because of the coun-
cil’s tough planning rules to inhibit one-off homes in the countryside, Cllr Considine can expect a pre-
mium price if he decides to sell on the sites when planning permission 1s secured.
An Taisce has recommended that one of the homes be moved else-
where as there is a ringfort adjacent to site four.
The national trust also states that “the elevation of the site is high and concerns of drainage problems and visual obstruction need to be ad- dressed”.
The Department of the Environ- ment has recommended that an archaeological impact assessment be prepared to assess the potential impact, if any, on archaeological re- mains in the area.
The department has made the rec- ommendation as the development site 1s within the zone of archaeo- logical potential established around a recorded monument.
“The assessment should detail the visual impact of this development on the recorded monument. This assess- ment shall also define the buffer area or area contiguous with the monu- ment which will preserve the setting and visual amenity of the site.
“It should be borne in mind that, if significant archaeological remains are found or there is a significant negative impact, refusal might be recommended and/or further pres- ervation in situ or by record may be required.”
A decision is due on the application later this year.