Month: June 2008

AN TAISCE has warned against any further large-scale housing develop- ments in Doonbeg.

Arising from the development of the nearby €150 million golf resort at the dunes overlooking Dough- more beach, a small group of land- owners are reaping a windfall from a number of large-scale applications lodged with the council.

Applications for almost 200 homes

in the west Clare village are current- ly being processed by the council’s planning department.

Already, the golf club has been a factor in Doonbeg increasing its pop- ulation by 17 per cent going from 586 to 700 in the last census and bucking a trend in many areas of west Clare which have seen a population drop.

Graigue Properties Ltd are one of a number of companies seeking planning permission for a housing development on a zoned site in the

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However, An Taisce has raised con- cerns over the fact that 15 per cent of dwellings in Doonbeg are unoccu- pied throughout the year.

According to a submission by An Taisce, “There is also a seven to nine per cent unemployment figure in the village. These figures suggest that there is no demand for further large housing estates within Doonbeg. If considering the opening of the En- nis bypass and marketing on long-

distance commuting, we should not encourage this because of the effect on our carbon footprint.”

However, the council has stated that the principle of development is acceptable at this location in relation to the zoning of the site and also its location within the village of Doon- eres

However, the council has stated that it has serious concerns in rela- tion to the design and layout as well as traffic issues pertaining to the site

and are not favourably disposed to the granting of permission in its cur- Kos s1 MaKe) MONEE

The council state that the layout would not provide for an accept- able standard of residential amen- ity for future occupants and would therefore not be in accordance with proper planning and development of atom Dusre

The council has also suggested that the developers include a commercial component to their plan.

FIVE Clare women have been nomi- nated for the Champagne Nicho- las Feuillatte Women of the Year Awards. The awards will be pre- sented at a gala dinner on June 7 at the Silversprings Moran Hotel, Cork, with up to 600 guests present.

“This is the inaugural year of the awards which honour women who have excelled in whatever area they are in, whether it be business, sport, charity work or simply exceptional achievement of any type,’ said Tom

Desmond, Managing Director of Galvins Wholesale Ltd, distributors of Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne.

Quin businesswoman and founder of Conference Connections Ltd, Colette Duggan has been nominated for her role in promoting excellence in entertainment and business. As proprietor of Clare Conference Con- nections Ltd she caters for a national and international blue chip client list. She is being nominated for deliver- ing objectives over and above her cli- ents’ expectations.

Much-loved traditional musician,

Sharon Shannon is being nominated for her contribution to music.

Rita Mc Inerney, Chief Executive Officer of Ennis chamber, is also nominated. She represents the in- terests of the 250 business members from professional, retail, tourism and industrial sectors in the Ennis and Clare area, on a range of issues through lobbying and submissions on a local, regional and national lev- el. She is a current board member by ministerial appointment to the Shan- non Foynes Port Authority.

Ann Norton is nominated for her

voluntary work as manager with the Clare Crusaders Children’s Charity. The charity, which was established by the late Howard Flannery, pro- vides clinical and vital care for the children of County Clare with spe- cial needs. Ann, whose eldest daugh- ter has Cerebral Palsy, continued the dream of her late friend and over the past nine months has opened a clinic which now employs 12 therapists, providing care for more than 80 chil- dren in the county and providing over 6,000 hours of therapy annually. Ennis woman and presenter of

‘Paisean Faisean’, TG4’s highly rated fashion and dating show, Blathnaid O’ Donoghue is also one of the nominees. She is nominated for her promotion of the Irish language, particularly to the younger audiences on TG4.

The awards are being run in con- junction with TV3 and RSVP maga- zine, with TV3’s Colette Fitzpatrick and Cork’s 96FM’s Neil Prendeville presenting on the night. Nicholas Feuillatte is the top-selling cham- pagne in France and GWL are its sole Irish distributor.

CLARE County Council has urged An Bord Pleanala to uphold its deci- sion to grant planning permission to a €10 million explosives factory at Cahercon on the basis that objectors’ appeals have produced nothing new.

Opponents to the explosives plant including the Kildysart Explosives Factory Opposition Group (KE- FOG), Cairde Chill an Disirt Teo and An Taisce appealed the council decision to An Bord Pleanala.

In a rebuttal submission to the ap-

peals board, the council has stated that no further substantive planning issues have been raised and the plan- ner’s report into the initial objections deals with all of the issues raised.

In an 1l-page report lodged with An Bord Pleanala, the council states that the previous An Bord Pleanala decision conceded the principle of development on the site, while the extraction of the fill material and importation on site has since been addressed to the satisfaction of the council.

In relation to the issue of safety,

the council state that it is guided by reports from the Health and Safety Authority and submissions from the HAS on August 2007 and February 2008 do not recommend against the grant of permission.

In relation to claims by objectors on the adverse landscape impact of the proposal, the council state that having regard to the backdrop and forested area to the rear and side; the relatively low buildings and the lim- ited range of views to the site and the existence of industrially scaled de- velopments in the Shannon Estuary,

the development would be acceptable from a visual amenity viewpoint.

“In relation to the extraction area which is on undulating farmlands, it is considered that due to the tempo- rary nature and location of the site, this element of the proposed devel- opment will not have a significant serious negative impact on visual amenities of the area.”

In relation to Cahercon pier, the council state that the conditions at- tached to the planning permission do not imply consent for any upgrade works to the pier to facilitate the de-

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The council also states that the pro- posed development will not seriously depreciate the value of properties in the vicinity of the site, stating that the nearest dwelling is owned by the applicant.

Without a sod being turned on the scheme, the Whelan Group has al- ready spent almost €7 million on the project. When operational the plant will provide employment for close to 35 people and will contrib- ute €3 million annually to the local economy.

ONE of the biggest construction companies in the mid-west tripled its profits before tax to €1.6 million, ac- cording to the most recent accounts filed with the companies office. Accounts to the end of September 2006, show that the Michael Lynch (Group) Ltd increased its profits be-

fore tax from €507,000 in 2005 to €1.6 million in 2006.

Last week, An Bord Pleanala gave the company the go-ahead for a large-scale housing development at Lifford in Ennis which should go some way towards making up for failing to secure a planning permis- sion for a €50 million retail park at Clonroadmore.

The Ennis company almost dou- bled its turnover going up from €27 million to €42 million, underlining the money-generating capacity of the firm during the building boom.

The accounts show that the group’s operating profit was €2.1 mullion in 2006 — up from €1.52 million in 2005 – and retained profit combined with shareholders’ equity funds

amounted to over €8 million.

Underlining the importance of the company to the local economy, the number of people on payroll was 71 with staff costs for 2006 amounting to €4.8 million.

And the value of the company’s landbank continues to increase with the returns showing that in 2004, the company had development lands val-

ued at €5.7 million. This increased to €12.4 million by September 2005 and to €15 million at the end of Sep- tember 2006.

The accounts stated that the com- pany proposed not to pay a dividend in 2006.

The returns to the companies office list Seamus Lynch and Mary Lynch as directors of the firm.

WARNING that Ireland’s green in- frastructure is under threat, the Her- itage Council has launched an action plan to halt the decline of Clare’s biodiversity by awarding funds to five eco-friendly projects throughout the county.

Funding has been awarded to the Clare Bat Group for the conserva- tion of bat species and raising aware- ness with local community groups; the Clare Biodiversity Group for the planting of native trees, fruit trees and wild flowers along newly laid cy- cle lanes; Ennis and District Anglers Association for the restoration of a section of the River Fergus; Tuam- graney Development Association to restore an unmanaged woodland for wildlife; and Lisdoonvarna Commu- nity Centre for work on the Lisdoon- varna Biodiversity Park.

The Heritage Council has award- ed funding of over €7/00,000 to 52 projects around the country that will protect, manage and restore local bio- diversity. The funding is provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The council wants to highlight the importance of wetlands, as well as the damage caused by invasive spe- cies to biodiversity in Ireland. Wet- lands are essential for flood control, pollution control, water supply, and peat lands also serve as vital carbon sinks that could help address climate change. Invasive species are causing problems in our waterways and for- ests, impacting on native biodiversity and affecting water quality.

A South African pondweed sus- pected to have come from a local ornamental garden pond has become established in Lough Corrib, Ire- land’s second largest lake and home to salmon, otter and an internation- ally recognised wild trout fishery. The plant is forming a dense canopy on the lake surface and is blocking out light. This in turn impacts on the native fish and plants in the lake. A task force has been set up to remove the South African pondweed at con- siderable expense.

Other invasive plants such as Rho- dodendron and Gnuant Rhubarb, originally brought in as ornamental garden plants, are causing consider- able damage to native woodlands and the landscape, especially on the west coast.

Meanwhile, zebra mussels (pictured below) are having a serious effect in Lough Derg and waterways along the Shannon and elsewhere, block- ing water pipes and boat engines and affecting native fish species.

Among measures to halt the decline in biodiversity are the planting of na- tive trees, shrubs and flowers; cutting down on household chemicals; plan- ning new developments more sensi- tively as well as preserving wetlands, coastal areas and important habitats. For further information, see www. heritagecouncil.ie.

A SIXMILEBRIDGE doctor is part of local opposition to plans for a €55 million residential development in what is Clare’s fastest growing vil- lage.

Earlier this year, Cormac Quigley lodged plans to construct 221 residen- tial units in the south-east Clare vil- lage. The proposal is one of a number of large-scale planning applications planned for Sixmilebridge.

According to the 2006 census, the population of Sixmilebridge exceed- ed 2,000 for the first time in living memory.

Dr Padraic McKenna is one of a number of residents of Ashview Drive in the village to have lodged an individual objection, while the Ashview Drive Residents Associa- tion have also objected to the devel- opment.

In his objection, Dr McKenna claimed that Sixmiulebridge was growing too quickly for the local in- frastructure.

“The roads, services, local facilities and amenities and local infrastruc- ture would not be able to support such a development. It will mean that families will have to travel to Shan- non, Ennis or Limerick for schools ANNO Mr Dee CoevIBlene

“This development is not in line with proper planning requirements for a small town like Sixmilebridge, as it will comprise housing units only. There are no proposals for a playground, créches, parks or play- ing pitches. These types of facilities are essential for the families who are to reside in the new development and the town as a whole.

“Sixmilebridge has very poor local transport. Its connectivity with Shan- non, Limerick and Ennis is very poor. In this context, building a large hous- ing estate to house hundreds more persons in the town is ludicrous.

“Sixmilebridge is really a rural area. The development proposes a high-density urban or suburban-style development which is completely un- suitable for the town. Such a devel- opment is more suitable for Limerick or Ennis. The development would adversely affect what is a rural area and would damage the character of the town,’ Dr McKenna objection concludes.

Another local development, pro- posed by Fordmount Development, is awaiting a decision from the coun- cil planners. This is for a mixed- use scheme comprising residential, retail, community and commercial units on a nine-acre site bounded by the Limerick Road.

THE outspoken co-founder of a ru- ral-rights group has told a high level Oireachtas committee that a root and branch review of An Bord Pleanala is needed.

Issuing a plea to the Oireachtas’s Environment Committee to overhaul An Bord Pleanala, Kilbaha-based, Jim Connolly said he didn’t know why Irish society had handed re- sponsibility for major decisions on everything from single houses to gas pipelines and motorways to a group of ten people who were not account- able to anybody.

Demanding that the membership of the board be more representative of Irish society and not top-heavy with planners, Mr Connolly said if planning appeals were decided by a specific and narrow group of profes- sionally trained persons – planners, in this case – it would be a case of planners looking at planners look- ing at planners all the way along the line.

“Such a system would not be in line with what was originally in- tended, regardless of how one views the role of planners. That is why we have suggested this matter be dealt with by means of a root and branch review of An Bord Pleanala which was established 30 years ago when Ireland was different. Everything has

changed since.”

“The standard of housing that ex- isted and still exists throughout ru- ral Ireland is small, cold, damp and substandard in every way. Therefore, people are entitled to modern hous- ing.

“They are new people who can’t get their mortgages. Their hearts are broken because they are being re- fused. From driving around Ireland, some people say they are shocked at houses painted in white, blue, green and so on.

“They should have driven around the country 30 years ago when there was nothing but dereliction and houses falling down.

“What a wonderful thing it is and it lifts my heart to see development in rural areas and to think people are being properly housed at long last in spite of the begrudgers. Our hearts go out to our young people who can- not build.

aU ec Nevevbercm betsy olelkOym sla Wle BLO) KC! Pleanala is on record as saying there should be no housing in the country- side. This statement has huge impli- cations not alone for any element of fair and impartial treatment for cases being appealed, but is also in direct conflict with Government policy.”

“It appears the board is an exten- sion of the Department of the En- vironment which gets whatever it wants,’ Mr Connolly concluded.

THE decision by Aer Lingus to with- draw its Shannon/Heathrow service last summer continues to cause grave concern to businesses in the mid- west.

That’s according to the new presi- dent of the Shannon Chamber of GreysbeRCcMe EVIE ST DUKChMER, Zeemote

ployed at Avocent.

Avocent, which designs and manu- factures PC components, outsources work to Eastern Europe and its head- quarters is located in Alabama in the US. The company is linked to sever- al other countries including France, Hungary, Malysia and Singapore.

“Shannon Airport and the whole connectivity issues 1s very important

for Avocent. We are very dependent on customers coming in to us through Heathrow and are very dependent on connectivity to the US. It is critical for a company like us and we are only a medium-sized company,” said Mr Barrett.

He said that the united effort by a myriad of groups in the mid-west when it emerged that Aer Lingus was

to withdraw its Shannon/Heathrow service last August was encouraging. However Government didn’t listen. “Locally, everybody pulled togeth- er very well. Unfortunately we didn’t seem to have a desire on the part of the Government to act,” said Mr Bar- rett, who is a qualified accountant. “The one thing I learned from the Heathrow issue is that any one in-

dividual organisation working by itself 1s a lone voice. It is important for groups to work together, like the Connectivity Alliance, Shannon De- velopment and Clare County Council. They can come together and speak with a unified voice. That’s when we get far more attention. There is a significant worry about the pullout of Aer Lingus,” Mr Barrett said.

A MAJOR rethink on how retail business in Shannon is developing is urgently needed, according to the newly appointed president of the lo- cal Chamber of Commerce.

Jan Barrett, who is vice-president for international operations at Avo- cent in Shannon, has just been ap- pointed at the helm of the business body.

The Galway native, who been in- volved with the chamber for the past five years, joined Cybex in 1999 and remained with the company when it merged with Apex to form Avocent three years later.

As president of the chamber, he will focus on key areas identified by the chamber over the past few years. These include industry and enter- prise, Shannon Airport, developing retail in Shannon, tourism and phys- er UU Rec KINMOCe RUD Kon

“One thing I want to do is estab- lish what is of major relevance to our members. We will conduct a survey in relation to that,” he pointed out.

The chamber has set up three sub- committees – industry and com- merce, living and working in Shan- non and school and youth career Support – and intends to focus on those over the coming year.

A fourth sub-committee is to be set up, to focus on the development of more retail opportunities in the town.

“In relation to retail, I think there is a big opportunity there. Shan- non has lost out to Ennis and Lim-

erick. Years ago, Athlone lost a lot of shopping power to Mullingar, but then two shopping centres were de- veloped and they found people were coming back into Athlone,’ Mr Bar- rett said.

He said that the masterplan, cur- rently being developed for Shannon, should meet the existing needs.

“It needs to be done in an integrat- ed manner and not just provide the same services that are already there.

“There is no point just taking the same spending power and splitting it between the existing and new stores. There is a lack of fashion. If you di- vide it into the range of services, you can bring the spending power into Shannon,” he said.

He said that the decision by Tesco to close its store in SkyCourt was a major worry for the town.

‘Tesco used to be the anchor ten- ant, who got the feet passing by the doors nearby. With the closure of Tesco, Dunnes is now the anchor tenant and there has been a declin- ingfootfall in the older part of the centre,” he added.

‘There is no anchor tenant down that side of SkyCourt. While we are assured they are talking to a couple of people (prospective tenants), in the meantime, our members are lob- bying us to work with Pat Kelly and company (SkyCourt management) and look for an abatement of rents until that happens,” said Mr Barrett.

THE owner and manager of an En- nis business park has appealed a town council decision to approve a proposed three-unit industrial ware- house facility in Ennis.

Last month, Ennis Town Council granted planning permission to John Bonfil to construct the units at the Clonroadmore business park.

In response, Alan Lewis has re- tained planning consultant, Brendan McGrath to lodge the appeal against

the council decision.

In the appeal to An Bord Pleanala, Mr McGrath said Mr Lewis was fun- damentally opposed to the develop- ment because it would undermine the character and operation of the busi- ness park.

“The Clonroadmore business park is being transformed into an urban facility with a distinctive community role. That role is entirely appropriate for this central urban location and should have the support of the local authority. My client accepts that the

site should be developed but wishes to see development that is fully com- patible with the establishing char- acter of the business park and takes account of the fact that there is no suitable access for HGVs.”

Mr McGrath is arguing that the pro- posed development would seriously injure the amenities or depreciate the value of property in the vicinity; would endanger the health or safety of persons occupying or employed in an adjoining structure; or would endan- ger public safety by reason of traffic

hazard or obstruction of road users.

“The proposed development is in accordance with the commercial zoning objective but, in every other respect, 1s contrary to the policy of the development plan.

“The proposed land uses and ac- tivities are inappropriate given the established character of the business park; the proposed access is unsuit- able for the uses proposed and there are related deficiencies in application and assessment procedures.

“This 1s not a typical industrial es-

tate. The majority of occupiers are involved in some form of community activity. The park has a distinctive identity and function and the devel- Opment under consideration would have serious adverse impacts on that identity and function.

“There remains a number of small- scale manufacturing and distribution activities in the park. However, it is intended that the whole of the busi- ness park will be given over to com- munity-type activities.”