Shannon set for major overhaul

More than 30 years after its establishment, Shannon town is set to undergo its most radical transformation to date. This follows a £30 million plan being lodged with Clare County Council yesterday for the first phase of the redevelopment of the town centre of Shannon.

The plan envisages civic offices, a town square and a wide range of retail units, all within a covered pedestrian shopping mall.

A further application for the next phase will be lodged early in the New Year, which will seek planning for the creation of a civic street, multiplex cinema, hotel and pub and restaurant.

According to Mr Barry Boland, the managing director of Beaux Walk Properties, who purchased the centre for £7.1 million earlier this year, "the potential for Shannon town centre is enormous".

Shannon is unlike any other town in the country; its town centre is privately owned, it has no recognisable streets and the number of public houses is in single figures.

Established in the mid-1960s, the State's first planned town has not realised its anticipated growth.

The town's 1962 development plan predicted a population of 35,000 by 1982. However, the 1996 census recorded a population of 7,939.

The failure of Shannon to realise the anticipated growth is articulated in a recent Clare Council Council report.

It stated that "while Shannon has a number of positive qualities, it is severely deficient in terms of population, service provision and the availability of an attractive core commercial area".

"It is also clear that these matters are interrelated and have serious implications for the future viability of Shannon and the quality of life for its residents."

Keenly aware of the challenges that have faced Shannon, Cllr Patricia McCarthy said the plans for the town centre should act as a catalyst for the development of Shannon.

She said: "It is a very positive development, but long overdue. In the past, Shannon hasn't sold itself as a good location for people to live, but I think that is changing now. In the last couple of years, we have seen significant increases in the population."

Mr Boland said the plan was a strong vote of confidence in the future of the mid-west. "We are well aware of the economic concerns in the region following the appalling tragedy in the United States. However, this is a time for cool heads and steady hands.

"By the time this project is completed in 2004, we are confident that the resilience of people will have overcome any short-term downturn in economic activity," he said.