This article is from page 19 of the 2006-12-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
THE population of Ennis will reach ‘critical mass’ by the year 2020 if the town boundary remains its current size, a committee heard last week.
It is predicted that at the current rate of growth the population of Ennis will hit 48,000, which is 8,000 more than predicted in the National Spatial Strategy for 2002-2020.
The issue was being discussed in relation to the proposed extension of the town boundary at a meeting of Ennis Town Council’s Social and Economic Development Municipal Policy Committee.
At the meeting Town Clerk Eddie Power said, “The population of Ennis, at the town centre and environs, currently exceeds 24,000.
“It was predicted that this would rise to 40,000 by 2020, but if the figure keeps going up it would be 48,000, which would represent critical mass.”
Mr Power added that any extension would have implications for the effectiveness of local government, the structures in place and the coherent promotion of the town.
Following a proposal from Cllr Peter Considine (FF) the committee opted not to discuss the matter further.
The deadline for submissions from members of the public passed on Friday, December 15.
In their submission to the Council, Ennis Chamber of Commerce stated that any extension would have to strike a balance between business interests and new housing developments likely to come under the stewardship of the council.
Speaking yesterday Chamber CEO Rita McInerney said,
“The last extension didn’t benefit businesses in the town. The council’s remit extended to take in more houses, but there wasn’t the same growth in business.
“There can’t be a situation where the current rate payer base is paying for an increased number of houses.
“We wouldn’t be totally opposed to it as long as they undertake a balanced analysis.”
The current town boundary extends as far as the turn for Ballyalla, past the West County on the Clare Road, past the Golf links on the Miltown Malbay Road, beyond O’Sullivan and Hansbury on the Kilrush Road and as far as Hill Crest housing estate on the Tulla Road.
In 1988 the Minister for the Environment extended the Urban Boundary of Ennis. Ennis is identified as a “Hub Centre” in the National Spatial Strategy and as such is designated as a regional growth development centre.