This article is from page 33 of the 2007-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
CLARE county council has ex- pressed reservations over plans by developers to build 77 homes in Doonbeg because of traffic safety, density, waste water, archaeology and design.
Brian McGoey and Niall Cun- ningham have lodged plans with the council for the homes and a separate application for a restaurant.
The council has told them that the density of 19 houses per hectare is too excessive in terms of the zon- ing for Doonbeg and they have been asked to reduce the density from 19 to 15 units.
The council has also raised con- cerns over the demolition of two ex- isting houses and the construction of two town houses at the entrance to the development.
The council considers that the cot- tages may be vernacular, 19th or 20th century dwellings and may form part of the historic fabric of the village and make a contribution to the streetscape. The developers have been asked to submit a photographic survey of the cottages both internally and externally in order to allow the council to assess their importance.
The most prominent community- based organisation in Doonbeg has also expressed its opposition to the
proposal.
The Doonbeg Community Devel- opment Co Ltd state that the pro- posed development by virtue of its scale and density and the proposed neighbourhood concept does not ‘respect the existing character of the surrounding area’ and that it ‘harms the amenity of adjoining properties and the surrounding area’.
Their submission goes on to state that “The additional traffic generated by the proposal will have an adverse effect on the amenity and character of the surrounding area. You simply cannot lift an urban design model and implant it on to a rural village especially at such a sensitive river-
bank location.”
“To create a new, competing neigh- bourhood within the context of Doonbeg village conflicts with the sustainable development of the vil- lage and we contend, with the set- tlement strategy of the Clare County Development plan 2005.
“These houses will dominate the skyline and approach from the south along this route. We also suggest that they may impact on, by overlooking, the streetscape of the village.
The community development group is also concerned about the scale and density of development proposed for this elevated site located in such close proximity to the riverbank.