This article is from page 24 of the 2009-05-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
PLANNING permission has been granted for a new 138 unit housing development in Ballyhugh just out- side Gort despite the recent down- turn in the local population.
Reddington Construction received the official go ahead last week for the construction of a development including 132 houses and six apart- ment units on the Tubber Road in Gort.
According to figures released in the last census, the population of the town had been increasing rapidly up until 2006.
This increase was brought about in
the main by the massive increase in foreign nationals coming to live in the town.
According to the 2006 census, al- most half of the town’s total popula- tion was made up of foreign nation- als, with 83 per cent of these coming from Brazil.
However, locals believe that the number of foreign nationals living in Gort has dropped in recent times with many members of the Brazilian community leaving Ireland in search OM WON .e
According to housing website, my- home.ie, more then 70 homes are currently on the market in Gort with the capability of accommodating
more than 300 people between them POM KOlecde
The Ballyhugh development was granted planning permission subject to a number of conditions including the construction of a creche and a number of shops in the area and the extension of the public footpath and lighting along the Tubber Road to Ballyhugh.
County planners have also stipu- lated that an archaeologist be em- ployed by the developer during the construction phase.
During the planning application process, environmental group, An Taisce had expressed concern about possible flooding in the area.