This article is from page 4 of the 2006-12-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
FEARS were expressed yesterday that Clare County Council could be facing massive compensation claims from developers, if a forthcoming study rules out development on commercial-zoned land on the fringes of Ennis.
According to the council, the flood management study, “will have a significant influence as regards what is appropriate and feasible from a development point of view of the lands in the vicinity of the Lower River Fergus”.
The council continues that the flood study’s “conclusions and recommendations may have implications for large areas of land on both sides of the River Fergus”.
The study is expected to be published in the early months of 2007 and, already, three planned multimillion euro developments on the southern fringes of Ennis have been put on hold – in part due to floodingrelated concerns.
In relation to plans by Michael Lynch Ltd to open up lands for development at Clonroadmore, the council, seeking additional information, states, “Whether or not the entire site would be available to facilitate such development is questionable, given that the flood management study which is presently ongoing has not yet reached its conclusions.”
Last year, a 48-acre site zoned commercial was purchased for over €18 million from Clarecastle man, JJ McCabe. Plans have been lodged for a retail park on the site at Skehanagh, Clarecastle. However, the council has put the plan on hold, requesting a flood risk assessment for the entire area.
The council has also put on hold a separate €50 million plan by Ennis businessmen, Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan, stating that the construction of a of a large development in an area that is susceptible to flooding is not in keeping with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The council has requested a comprehensive flood risk assessment of the area.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said yesterday, “If the flooding study rules out development in areas zoned for development, the council could be facing massive compensation claims from developers.”
The council’s senior planner, Liam Conneally said, “The purpose of the study is to determine the most appropriate way to minimise the area required to facilitate flood storage requirements. The study will provide necessary supporting data with potential flood relief options, which should have the effect of maximising the extent of low-lying lands in the area which could be safely developed.”