This article is from page 11 of the 2006-09-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
PLANS by Swiss-owned multi-national, Roche Ireland, to demolish a derelict house at the site of its Clarecastle plant, have run into trouble.
Clare County Council has refused the company permission to demolish the house, on the basis of tough Government rules in relation to the protected of certain structures.
Earlier this year, Roche Ireland lodged plans to demolish the uninhabited home at the corner of Clarehill and Patrick Street and to replace it with a stone dwarf wall and a galvanised and painted steel fence.
However, in a report to the council’s planning department, Conservation Officer, Risteard Ua Cronín, pointed out that the building was an 18th-century or early-19th century five-bay single-storey gabled dwelling with an iron roof.
Mr Ua Cronín said, “the cottage appears to be of high architectural and heritage interest”, and claimed that the proposed development didn’t comply with the policy relating to demolitions in Architectural Conservation Area (ACA)”.
Mr Ua Cronin said, “The house, uninhabited for some time, is not beyond repair or re-use and by its traditional design and materials makes a significant contribution to the streetscape and the ACA”.
The planner’s report states, “I consider that the form of the existing cottage, together with its location, makes a positive contribution to the ACA, notwithstanding that it is unoccupied and has no windows.
“I do not consider that the existing structure is beyond repair or re-use and in relation to the reasonable infrastructural condition and architectural merit of the existing dwelling and its contribution to the ACA of Clarecastle, the proposed demolition would be unwarranted.”
The planner also stated that the proposed demolition “would seriously injure the amenities of the area and be contrary to the proper planning and development of the policy of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan, which seeks to protect structures that contribute positively to the character or appearance of an ACA and not one beyond repair or reuse”.
Roche Ireland has the option of appealing the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Roche has invested almost €200 million at its Clarecastle plant in the past 12 years. The company has been successful in securing planning permission for a series of developments at the 80-acre site, where 240 people are employed.