This article is from page 9 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 9 JPG
THE developers of a €1 million crematorium proposed for Shannon sought an extension of time in their application last week to avoid a potential planning refusal.
Sean Hillery, director with applicants, Illaunamanagh Ltd, told The Clare People that the designation of ‘open space’ at the proposed location “would have given the planners no choice but to refuse”.
In order for the application to overcome zoning difficulties, members of Clare County Council will be required to materially contravene the South-East Clare Economic Plan in a vote. The two promoters of the venture, Sean Hillery and Tony McMahon, are long-standing members of Clare County Council from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
It has also emerged that An Taisce has expressed reservations over the plan. In a submission from the Clare Association, they request that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be lodged.
The An Taisce concerns include “having a crematorium so close to residential areas of the town; the impact on the environment as the site is surrounded on three sides by a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and National Heritage Area on the Shannon estuary; and the presumed lack of services such as good road access.
“We are also concerned about the chapel as this should be general in design to accommodate other faiths, such as Hinduism, who cremate their dead as there are now a large group of non-Christians in Shannon.”
Claims that the crematorium is the first planned for outside the Dublin region are incorrect. Earlier this year, planning permission was secured for a high-tech crematorium at Rocky Island in Cork harbour.
The Shannon plan is being opposed by Cllr Gerry Flynn, who claims, “Access to the crematorium is through local residential areas. Additional traffic generated will create a possible traffic hazard to children and other members of the community”.
Cllr Flynn also states that the planned future expansion of Illaumanagh cemetery could be curtailed if the proposed development is permitted.
However, Shannon’s parish priest, Fr Tom Ryan, has added his weight to the proposal, saying, “I congratulate Illaunamanagh Ltd. on undertaking this initiative and providing the public, not just in Shannon but throughout the entire western region, with the option of availing of cremation should they choose to do so”.
A decision on the Shannon plan has been deferred to November 30.