Green light for Ennis retail park

Plans for a €50 million retail park on the outskirts of Ennis, Co Clare, that will create 250 jobs when operational have been given the go-ahead despite opposition from An Taisce, RGDATA and local residents.

Over a year after plans were first lodged by Michael Lynch Ltd for the park on a 17-acre site on the southern fringes of Ennis, the town council has granted planning permission.

The council ruled the plan would not injure the amenity of adjoining property, was acceptable in terms of traffic safety and was in the interest of properly planned development.

In reaching its decision it had regard to the special zoning of the site as one of eight so-called "proposal sites" in the Ennis and environs development plan, and it considered it an appropriate site for a retail development.

Michael Lynch Ltd says the development will provide 250 jobs when operational, with 150 employed during construction.

The development will have a superstore, seven retail warehouse units and a garden centre.

A retail impact assessment lodged with the plan concluded that "the development will not adversely affect the viability and vitality of the existing Ennis town centre or the local economy".

However, the Ennis construction firm faces a number of obstacles before building can start. As part of the 36 conditions attached to the planning permission, the council has ruled that no development can begin until An Bord Pleanála grants planning permission for vehicle access to the development.

This decision is being appealed by residents of Clare Road, who are likely to appeal the council's retail park decision to An Bord Pleanála.

A spokesman for local residents said yesterday: "We are very disappointed with the decision, and we feel that our concerns over the development have been ignored by the town council."

Confirming it was "very likely" they would appeal, he said no concessions had been made to the residents despite many objections over traffic and residential amenity.