Tag Archives: clare county council

A PLANNING decision on a proposed €20 million development by Lidl Ireland in Ennis has been put on hold with further information being sought from the developers. Clare County Council raised a number of concerns about the proposed development including its potential “adverse impact” on the town centre. The further information request means the decision process will be paused until a response is received within six months. Lidl is seeking planning permission for the development of a new store and mixed-use development at the junction of the Clare Road (R458) and Toberteascain Road, which, if given the go-ahead, will include 20 residential apartments, a café and two commercial units. According to the discount supermarket giant if given the green light the development will create 30 local jobs along with 100 more during construction. In the further information request the planning authority acknowledged that the proposal is largely in response to the zoning objectives of the site. It stated however, “Having regard …

AN application for planning permission for 28 houses at Station Road, Lahinch has been refused by Clare County Council. Victoria Cross Retail Limited had made the application for the development, which was met by a number of objections. Refusing the application, the Chief Executive’s Order made reference to the inadequate sewerage facilities in Lahinch and stated the development would be premature. This constraint is unlikely to be overcome in the immediate future. The order stated, “It is further considered that the proposed development of 28 houses to be serves by means of an on site wastewater treatment would set an undesirable precedent for development of further housing estates served by such ad hoc treatment systems. “Taken in conjunction with the level of existing and approved development in the vicinity (it) would result in a risk of pollution and would be prejudicial to public health.” The report also said the Council was not satisfied that the proposed use of an on-site …

MEMBERS of the public are encouraged to attend an information evening on the next phase of the Ennis Public Realm Regeneration this week. The information meeting will be hosted by Clare County Council on Thursday, March 31. The next phase of the regeneration of the Ennis Public Realm will involve major construction works at O’Connell Street, High Street, Bank Place, Barrack Street, O’Connell Square and Barrack Square. According to a spokesperson for Clare County Council, “The Public Realm Regeneration will significantly improve accessibility for pedestrians through the introduction of shared surface arrangements and by increasing footpath widths where possible. “Advance enabling works involving the replacement of water mains by Irish Water and the upgrading of ESB underground cables are scheduled to commence in May 2022. “The Public Realm Regeneration project works will follow thereafter. It is unavoidable that road closures will be necessary during construction. “The Squares (Barrack Square and O’Connell Square) will be significantly enhanced to improve their amenity …

A VISION for the transformation of a 50 acre site on the shore of Ballybeg Lough into a community and tourism space, which could potentially include glamping, kayaking and cycling facilities, has been unveiled. A draft strategic plan has been formulated by Clare Clare County Council examining the potential for the future development of lands owned by the local authority at Ballaghafadda West on the Kildysart Road, Clarecastle. Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on the draft plan with a deadline for submissions of April 5. According to the local authority, the Draft Ballaghafadda Amenity and Recreation Plan “sets out a vision to enhance the site’s natural beauty, enrich its ecological value and to encourage engagement with the landscape, lough and its surroundings”. Under the plan, a network of pathways and boardwalks is proposed to be carefully set within a naturalised woodland, meadow and wetland landscape. Interpretation of the site’s natural and cultural heritage will …

CLARE Arts Office has opened a call for musicians and promoters to submit ideas for live music performances throughout the county in May and June 2022. The third phase of the Local Live Performance Scheme, made possible with the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, is now open for applications following on from two previous schemes in 2021. These schemes were part of the Covid-19 response from the Department aimed at supporting the live music sector that was decimated during the pandemic. In Clare, more than 300 musicians, performers and crew were supported by Clare Arts Office through the previous schemes, with over 1,200 days of employment generated for the sector. The scheme, administered by the Arts Office of Clare County Council, saw performances in venues such as St Flannan’s Cathedral in Killaloe and the Teach Cheoil in Kilrush. Traditional music events took place countywide with contemporary music gigs happening from Doolin to Ennistymon. …

MORE than 1,000 residents in Cratloe, Bunratty, Ardnacrusha and Meelick will be forced to live in the shadow of “overpowering wind turbines” up to 1,600 feet above sea level if wind developments proceed on picturesque Clare Hills. That’s according to Gerry Ryan, who is very concerned over the planning designation of an area stretching from Cratloe on the western slopes of Gallows Hill across to Ardnacrusha in the East, as suitable for “strategic large scale wind turbines.” For countless generations, Mr Ryan said Clare people have enjoyed the beautiful views of Gallows Hill, Woodcock Hill and Ballycar Hill from Bunratty, Sixmilebridge, Ardnacrusha, Shannon to name but a few areas. “This beautiful backdrop is now under threat and the views from iconic attractions such as Bunratty Castle, Cratloe Woods, 12 O Clock Hills and countless other areas of Clare will be destroyed forever by the construction of 178 metre high wind turbines. “A conservative count of the homes either within the …

IRISH Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council, is progressing plans to deliver the Clarecastle Sewerage Scheme that will end the discharge of raw sewage into the River Fergus and Shannon Estuary. Project Delivery Lead for Irish Water, Seamus Glynn said, “Wastewater from the public sewer network in Clarecastle is currently discharged untreated into the River Fergus and the Shannon Estuary. “The discharge of untreated wastewater is unacceptable, threatens water quality and detracts from the amenity value of the area.” “Once completed, the Clarecastle Sewerage Scheme will improve the water quality in the River Fergus in compliance with national and EU regulations relating to the treatment of wastewater, and will enhance the environmental amenity of the Clarecastle area. We will be sure to keep the local community informed regarding traffic management as this essential project progresses.” The project will involve the design and construction of new below-ground infrastructure at the site of the existing Quay Road Pump Station, and …

A BRAND identity for the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience was unveiled this week as the landmark projects continues to advance. At the end of next month, a further funding application will be made to progress the project beyond the design stage.  The work of consultants, Design Works, was showcased at a presentation on Monday last (March 14). The brand identity focuses on the symbolism of the archways of the island’s ecclesiastical buildings and highlights the theme of transformation linked with stepping through these portals.  At the briefing, chaired by Tourism Officer Joan Tarmey, Project Manager Tom MacKey, from Tobin Consulting Engineers briefly outlined some of the work to-date. Mr MacKey coordinates a team that includes Design Works, McCullough Mulvin Architects and Tandem Partners. “We’re currently focusing on on detailed design for the re-purposing of The Old Rectory building,” he said. “In general, we’re hoping to be in a position to have a contractor on site mid-summer to start working with …