This article is from page 9 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
THE Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) faces an uphill battle to have in place its plans for a €20 million greyhound stadium on the fringes of Limerick city by 2008.
As part of its ambitious plan, the IGB is planning to construct the five storey stadium and a three storey office building at Meelick and will employ 100 people. The proposal is to also include betting facilities, two restaurants and four bars with a dance floor and function areas.
At the time of lodging the plans for the stadium last July, the IGB anticipated that the staidum with a capacity of 3,000 would be in place by 2008.
However, in a submission to Clare County Council, the NRA has indicated that the stadium should not be in place until the €349 million tunnel under the River Shannon is operational in 2010.
As a result, the council has informed the greyhound board that, “it is not favourably disposed towards the proposed development as currently proposed for a number of reasons”.
The council stated that the proposed development was “premature pending the completion and operation” of the Shannon tunnel.
It also stated that the proposed development would, from a road safety point of view, endanger public safety and be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.
In relation to the impact the proposed stadium would have on otters, the council requested that a comprehensive survey be repeated and the ecological mitigation measures be reviewed and revised as appropriate in the light of any findings.
The council has also stated that proposals to connect to the Limerick public main and foul sewer are not acceptable and are contrary to the proper planning and development of the area.
The board has written to Clare County Council requesting a meeting with council representatives. Following this meeting the board expects to be in a position to respond to the additional information requests in a manner that meets the approval of Clare County Council.