This article is from page 11 of the 2006-04-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A NORTH Clare-based legal firm is to demolish an extension to its offices it built without planning permission.
Architects for solicitors Chambers & Co. have confirmed that the extension at Parliament St., Ennistymon, is to be knocked.
Earlier this year, the council refused an application to retain the building.
The council had served a warning letter on the firm, after finding that the extension was built without planning in Ennistymon’s Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).
Now, in a letter to the council, on behalf of Chambers & Co., architects, Leahy and Conway, have confirmed that the extension will be demolished in due course.
However, the company is planning to build a new extension to replace the one that is to be demolished with a number of variations.
That plan is facing opposition from neighbours, Sean and Carmel Conway.
“This extension, which is similar to what presently exists, will have a very serious and detrimental effect on our home, our privacy and natural light,” the couple claim in their objection.
“The proposed alteration by Chambers to rear to the their offices on Parliament Street will result in the virtual loss of natural light to a substantial portion of the upstairs of our home.
“Prior to the construction of their unauthorised development, we benefited from sunlight for much of the morning, early afternoon and brightness from what remained.
“If this new proposed development does go ahead, the situation will not change and we will continue to have virtually no daylight for much of the upstairs.
“The proposed structure is not appropriate, or suitable, for Ennistymon that has a wealth of history and tradition. Furthermore, it will overshadow its neighbouring houses on both sides in a similar manner as the present unauthorised development does presently.”
The Conways also claim that the structure constitutes a comprehensive overdevelopment of the site.
“This issue has upset us very much and is now going on for several months.
“What is being proposed does nothing whatsoever to address the issues that we have raised previously.”
A decision is due on the application later this month.