This article is from page 2 of the 2006-05-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE relatives of three members of Clare County Council could profit from rezonings proposed by the Council in the South-East Clare Economic Corridor Plan.
At its May meeting, the council adopted the proposed rezonings in the absence of Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind), Cllr John Crowe (FG) and Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) as the proposals affected lands owned by their relations.
Two of the rezonings that may benefit relations of Cllr McCarthy and Cllr Crowe relate to plans by the council to rezone lands at Sixmilebridge to facilitate the re-opening of the railway station and to provide zoning for car-parking associated with the railway.
The third rezoning related to lands at Ballymurtagh that belong to Cllr Pat McMahon’s first cousin’s son.
Cllr Patricia McCarthy explained that her father lives in the Station House that forms part of the rezoning.
She said, “I have followed everything to the letter and ensured that I was not present for any of the discussions on the rezoning.”
Cllr McMahon said, “I have been consistent on this issue right along. I left the council chamber last Monday when the issue came up for discussion and at four or five local meetings attended by councillors and planners, I made it known consistently all along of the family interest in the land and absented myself from the discussions.”
Cllr Crowe said that he absented himself from the meeting to ensure that “everything was above board”.
The rezonings proposed by the council are part of a large raft of rezonings in Bunratty, Newmarket-onFergus, Shannon and Sixmilebridge.
In relation to Shannon, the council is proposing a series of rezonings at Smithstown, Ballymurtagh and Ballycasey at Shannon, while in Newmarket, the Council is proposing the extend the town boundaries in a southerly direction.
The plan also provides for rezonings at Parteen, Clonlara and Blackwater. It further allows for the extension of Shannon town centre to the north, with the council recognising that certain areas can be developed without adversely affecting the provision of the rail-link.
The draft variation also confirms that a masterplan for residential development at Ballycasey has been drafted by Murray O’Laoire architects. The amendments to the plan are to be shortly published to allow the public make submissions.