This article is from page 12 of the 2006-05-23 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
AN ENNIS-BASED property development company is planning a €60 million housing development on lands it bought from St. Flannan’s College.
CLS Crystal Partners Ltd has applied for permission to develop a 16-acre portion of a 35-acre site near Clareabbey, Clarecastle, which it purchased last year for €8.5 million.
The company, which is owned by local businessmen Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan, is seeking approval for the construction of 219 residential units. These would consist of 72 semi-detached homes, 104 apartments in three blocks, 22 townhouses and 21 terraced buildings, a two-storey crèche and two ESB masts.
The site fronts onto the N18 outside Clarecastle. As the land is zoned for housing, it is likely that planning permission will be granted.
Documents lodged with Clare Council Council by CLS Crystal Partners show that the land was purchased from St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust, with a delayed closing date, which is imminent.
A spokesman for the diocese confirmed to The Clare People that money had already been transferred in the deal.
However, it is understood that a sum has yet to be transferred.
It is understood that this relates to the compulsory purchase of half the 35-acre site for the enlargement of the Ennis sewerage plant.
Clare County Council has paid CLS Crystal Partners for this portion and they, in turn, have paid St. Flannan’s. The other half is outstanding because of the delayed closing date.
Two objections from James Flynn, c/o Hassett Leyden & Associates and Elaine M Kelly, c/o Connellan & Associates have been lodged.
The objection lodged on behalf of Mr Flynn concerns the failure to include a permanent vandal-proof fence between his property and the land for development.
Elaine M Kelly’s objection includes concerns about the absence of a comprehensive approach to the road network at the location.
The consultants state that Ms Kelly has lodged a submission in order to protect the amenity and value of her property, and residential amenity and rights of the present occupant.
The diocesan spokesman said that it remained the intention to spend the €8.5 million on St Flannan’s College in order to adhere to the terms of the agreement with the farmer who bequeathed the land to St Flannan’s in the 1940s.
A feasibility study on the future development of the boarding school building has estimated a €10 million price tag for a complete modernization.