This article is from page 8 of the 2006-06-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
PLANS by Ennis developers, McCarthy Brothers, to construct 120 residential units in the Ballybeg area of Ennis have been thrown into question.
Local resident, Jim McEnery, has lodged an appeal against Clare County Council’s decision last month to give the contentious scheme the go-ahead.
The proposed development comprises of 40 three-bedroom homes; 47 two-bedroom homes; five fourbedroomed homes and 28 apartments.
The council granted planning permission on the basis that the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area.
However, in the comprehensive appeal, Mr McEnery claims that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenities and depreciate the value of property in the vicinity”.
Describing the area as a “rural haven of tranquillity”, he maintains that if permission is granted for the present development, the use, enjoyment and amenity of his property will be irretrievably lost.
The location of an amenity area beside his property could also result in untold sociable behaviour and the diminution of privacy and he claims it is neither fair nor just that the applicant should make substantial financial gain at his expense.
Mr McEnery’s appeal has also raised concerns over the infrastructure serving the development.
He maintains that the Ballybeg Road, as it exists in its present condition, is incapable of accommodating the volumes of traffic that would be generated by the construction of 120 residential units.
The layout of the development also comes in for criticism and Mr McEnery believes that the proposed layout is an attempt to maximise the number of houses within the development and represents an over-intensive use of the site.
On that basis, he believes that permission should therefore be refused.
A decision is due on the appeal in September of this year.