This article is from page 10 of the 2006-08-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
THE new €50 million retail park proposed for Ennis’s Quin Rd will not adversely impact on the quality, vitality and viability of the core retail area in Ennis or the wider town centre area.
That’s according to the Retail Impact Statement (RIS) lodged with the application by Ennis businessman, Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan.
Their plan is expected to create 150 jobs, provide 14,840 sq metres of space and will include a large anchor DIY store with garden centre and builders’ yard. Ennis Retail Park will also comprise nine smaller retail units.
The retail impact statement does not envisage the Quin Rd business park being in place until 2010, and forecasts that it will have the highest turnover of three retail parks currently planned for Ennis, at €35 million by 2010.
In spite of the €100 million annual spend at the three retail parks, the RIS forecasts that there will be surplus capacity of €7.6 million in the market available. It concludes that the park will not have an adverse impact on the town centre.
“As stated in the Retail Planning Guidelines, a retail park development in the range of 8,000 to 15,000 sq m is unlikely to have a material adverse impact on the more important town centres,” the RIS states. “A retail warehouse park of the size and location proposed would not give rise to a long term increase in the number of vacancies in the Ennis core retail area.”
The RIS also argues that “the location of the proposed development offers a high level of accessibility for those purchasing comparison goods.
“The subject proposal is consistent with the zoning of the application site and fully accords with the requirements of retail development policy as set out in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.”
It also argues that the proposal will “enhance the attraction of Ennis as a shopping destination and will serve to maintain investor interest in all sections of the retail and wider economy, thereby meeting plan objectives for the promotion of a sustainable economy.”
A decision is due on the application later this year.