This article is from page 18 of the 2006-05-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A DEVELOPER must pay €2.3 million to Ennis Town Council in order to proceed with a 236 residential unit in the Lifford area of Ennis.
It is believed that the fee, to be paid by Michael Lynch Ltd, is the highest amount paid to Ennis Town Council over a single development, since the introduction of the council’s developer contribution scheme.
Councillor Brian Meaney (GP) warned that it was inevitable that the costs would be passed onto housebuyers.
But he defended the scheme, which is required under Government legislation aimed at generating additional revenues for public infrastructure, such as water, sewage and amenities.
The development comprises of 128 terraced homes, 44 townhouses and 64 apartments for Drehidnagower, Lifford. The council has granted permission for the proposal with 58 conditions in spite of opposition from the Pine Grove Residents Association and Marie O’Keeffe, on behalf of O’Keeffe oil, whose depot is situated close by.
Cllr Meaney said “it was entirely correct and fair” for Ennis Town Council to levy development contributions on developers.
“The system is transparent. It is regrettable that it has taken this long for a levy scheme to be put in place,” he said. “The levies are needed to ensure that viable communities are put in place and Ennis Town Council needs the funding, in terms of the Ennis Water Supply and other issues. Joined-up thinking is needed to ensure that the monies are spent in the right areas.”
The residents claimed the development did “not harmonise with existing developments”, and would destroy the character of the area.
They also asked that the developer indemnify Pine Grove residents in the event of flooding and damage to their basketball court as a result of the proposed development and any associated work.
Marie O’Keeffe objected on a number of grounds, including the development’s density.
“What has been proposed, however, is the highest density of housing mentioned in the Ennis and Environs Plan as possible for attainment within the urban area based on substantial elements of three-storey developments; terraced housing and the rental-orientated housing to be serviced by substantial areas of communal open space.
“The applicant has departed from the objectives of the plan to such a degree that it is considered that a grant of permission in this case would represent a material contravention of the existing Development Plan,” she said.