This article is from page 3 of the 2006-01-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
MAYOR of Ennis, Frankie Neylon, has expressed his disappointment that Ennis Town Council was not adequately informed during the consultation process for the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.
Cllr Neylon said that the council had had very little input into the plan and that it hadn’t been brought up at discussion level at council level.
The Mayor made his comments at last Tuesday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council where the members voted to accept 26 changes to the Ennis and Environs Development Plan which would see large tracts of land in the town rezoned.
The council also decided to delete from the plan a proposal regarding infrastructural safeguards in the Eastern Residential Area of Ennis.
“We were always told that this was our plan but this wasn’t brought up at council level.
“We had a very small input into it.
“I think we were very badly informed on the matter and I am dissapointed that things like that happen” said Cllr Neylon.
The decision to adopt the variations to the plan was carried after 62 vote in favour of the motion proposed by Cllr Peter Considine (FF) which stated that the variations be withdrawn pending the outcome of a study pertaining to the infrastructural requirements for routes in the area.
“For once in my life I would go toward the planners because I would put people before cars. We should defer section three.
“We are morally obliged to get the full information before we make a decision,” said Cllr Considine.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) proposed the non adoption of the variation on the grounds that the plan didn’t encourage the development of renewable energy; the use of public transport; it didn’t make adequate provision for road safety and the groundwater vulnerability in the Ballymaquiggan and Reskaun clusters.
Cllr Flynn was supported in his proposal by Cllr Donal O’Beara (GP) who claimed that there hadn’t been a sufficient and comprehensive review of the plan.
Deputy Mayor Joe Reidy (FF) excused himself from the voting on the grounds that his father owned a section of land in Clarecastle that was due to be rezoned under the variation.