This article is from page 5 of the 2006-03-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
THE impact of holiday homes on Kilkee has prompted a West Clare councillor to call for the reforming of a community based group.
Dr Tom Nolan called for the Kilkee Planning Review Group to be reformed, claiming that Clare Council Council wasn’t willing to engage with local representatives.
Dr Nolan (Ind), a member of Kilkee Town Council, was chairman of the planning group that fought against a number of tax-driven holiday home developments in Kilkee during the 1990s
“The questions of six-seven years ago remain unanswered and the infrastructure deficit remains the same. I think that it is time that a Planning Review Group be resurrected in some form because there isn’t a willingness from Clare County Council to engage with the people that represent the local people.
“The sad truth is that local people can and never will be able to live in Kilkee because the cost of housing. The only way local people will be able to live in Kilkee is that if developers are compelled to provide social and affordable housing in the area.
“No infrastructure, either social or essential, has been provided for the surge of holiday homes in Kilkee and it is not sustainable. Why doesn’t someone shout stop? It is baffling as to why Clare County Council has granted planning to these developments and you would have to conclude that the council sees Kilkee as a revenue raising area through development charges.”
Dr Nolan made his comments as concern was expressed over the impact a €25 million housing development would have in Kilkee.
Earlier this year, plans were lodged by Paddy Madden, Barry Madden, Jerry O’Sullivan and Paul O’Connell for a 60 home development at Dough, Kilkee. The houses are to be built on six acres of zoned land 250 metres from Kilkee’s Circular Road. The developers are to enter an agreement to give a monetary contribution towards social and affordable housing.
In an objection against the development, Kilkee woman, Martha McGreen states: “The area is losing the very charm that has made it so popular over the years and the very sense of identity of being from Kilkee is being eroded away. How can a person from the town now afford to buy here and with the zoning restrictions how can they even build if they have land?”
A decision is due on the application later this month.