Contentious plans for €40m retail park on hold

ENNIS Town Council has put on hold contentious plans for a €40 million retail park.

Michael Lynch Ltd had lodged plans in December last for the project on the Limerick Road in Clare’s county town that will provide 180-200 jobs when operational and 300 jobs during the construction phase.

A previous plan by the company for a retail development at the same location was turned down by An Bord Pleanála in October 2006 after local residents appealed a council decision to grant planning.

The promoters are aiming to have the retail development opened by January 2013 and estimate the annual turnover from the development will be €46.4m.

However, a stream of local organisations including the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, the O’Connell Street Traders’ Association, the Abbey Street Traders along with independent retailers’ group, RGDATA, have lodged objections to the proposal.

Yesterday, Ennis Town Council put the plan on hold stating it has concerns over the potential impact any new retail units would have on vitality and viability on Ennis town centre.

The council asked the developer “to submit details of the proposed end users for each of these units”.

The local authority also noted the proposed site was located in a flood-risk zone.

The council outlined its concerns that the proposed development may cause flooding of the surrounding area.

“In this regard you are

required to submit a Flood Risk Assessment for the proposed development,” it advised.

In its submission, An Taisce stated there was no demand for further retail development.

“There is a need to first to fill in all those newly built and old standing retail developments before building yet another ghost development,” the heritage body suggested.

In its objection, director general of retailers’ group RGDATA, Tara Buckley said the plan “goes against the spirit of the retail planning guidelines regarding maintaining the vitality of viability of Ennis town centre”.

Ennis Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, noted there are currently 70 vacant units in Ennis.

“The proposed development on the Limerick Road is out-of-town and does not support the strategy of integrating any new projects with the existing retail area as close as possible to the centre and edge of centre.” the chamber said.