This article is from page 18 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
A LIMERICK-BASED company has failed in its third attempt to transform the former AIB building in Ennis into a commercial development.
Ennis Town Council has refused Brookvale Construction permission to develop the protected 19th-century building on Bindon Street.
Brookvale had submitted plans to construct retail and other commercial outlets on the extensive site around the building, which is currently occupied by property company, the Munster Group.
The plan was opposed by Oliver Moylan, Chairman of the Clare Association of An Taisce.
“An Taisce is very anxious that the integrity of this whole area be maintained,” he stated, adding that the Brookvale plan was totally at variance with the environmental sensitivity of this part of Ennis.
In refusing permission, the town council found that the proximity, height, scale and extent of the proposed development, at its boundary to the north, would seriously injure the amenity and depreciate the value of the property due to overshadowing.
The council stated that there was no substantial difference between the new proposal and one previously refused by An Bord Pleanála.
It is the third time that Brookvale Construction has been thwarted in its plans to develop the site, since it purchased it from the AIB seven years ago.
Ambitious plans for a 71-bedroom four-star hotel at the location were refused by both Ennis Town Council and An Bord Pleanála.
In 2004, the company lodged plans to construct a pub and restaurant.
However, the plan ran into opposition from An Taisce and prominent Clare personalities, including Reverend Bob Hanna, Martin Linnane and Tony Honan.
Mr Moylan claimed that the development “would destroy the whole character of this unique area in Ennis”.
The plan was passed by Ennis Town Council, but refused by An Bord Pleanála.