This article is from page 14 of the 2006-03-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
The developers of a €20 million plan to transform the Ennis skyline must go back to the drawing board if their plan is to receive the go-ahead.
Ennis Town Council has made a 10 page request for further information to applicants, Briarlane Developments Ltd.
Last December, the Galway-based company lodged plans with the council for a mixed use development on the banks of the River Fergus, which would connect to the town centre through the provision of a new pedestrian bridge at the Abbey St car park.
The new proposal – in common with a previous application by Briarlane turned down by An Bord Pleanala last July – seeks a sixstorey apartment block.
The building will be arranged around a central podium. The development also includes a plan to develop a 30-bedroom hotel, 58 apartments, eight commercial units and 238 carparking spaces along with one three-storey and one-two storey block.
However, consulting engineer, Paddy Coleman and Cllr Donal O’Bearra (GP) have expressed concerns over the project.
Now, the council has requested a raft of further information, though appears not to be opposed to the proposed development in principle, as it occupies zoned land adjacent to Ennis town centre.
The Town Council has told the developers that their plan “has the potential to negatively impact on the river ecology and wildlife in the surrounding area”.
In queries listed under ‘traffic’, the council states that visibility at all of the entrances – except one – are severely below the standard required from the National Roads Authority (NRA).
In relation to the impact that the developers have planned for the Harmony Row side of the development, the council says: “The proposal to build a three storey concrete structure on Harmony Row to replace the Protestant parochial single storey is not considered appropriate, owing to its height.
“The council also has serious reservations about the design of the proposed extension to the hotel where it faces Harmony Row as it is incongruous with the street-scape.
The council adds that the proposal to demolish a substantial part of the Abbey hostel, formerly the Club House, appears most inappropriate and will contravene policies pertaining to demolition of protected structures. Such an action would remove a significant portion of the historic fabric of the town.
A decision is expected to be made on the application later this year.