Two ‘identical’ €40m retail applications put on hold

PLANNERS in Ennis are scratching their heads as to why a well-known developer has lodged two almost identical applications for a €40 million retail park.

On December 23, agents for Michael Lynch Ltd lodged plans for a proposal on Limerick Road that will provide a reported 180-200 jobs when operational and 300 jobs during construction.

As part of lodging the application, the developer paid the maximum planning fee allowed of €38,000.

More than two weeks later, agents for the Ennis-based construction firm lodged a virtually identical planning application, paying over an additional €38,000 bring the total spend on planning fees to €76,000.

The council put the first application on hold two weeks ago and is now putting the second on hold.

The council stated: “It is noted that this planning application is almost identical to (planning number) 10-107. Please elaborate on the same indicating any differences between both applications and please indicate your intentions with regard to 10-107.”

The company’s decision to lodge two applications has resulted in objectors to the scheme paying on the double, with the third parties having to pay €20 each on each objection.

A previous plan by the company for a retail development at the location was turned down by An Bord Pleanála in October 2006 after residents appealed against Ennis Town Council’s decision to grant it.

The promoters are aiming to have the development opened by January 2013 and estimate that it will have an annual turnover of €46.4 million.

The decision to spend €76,000 on planning fees follows accounts for Michael Lynch Ltd showing that revenues plummeted 70% last year as it felt the downturn in the construction sector.

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

In its submission, An Taisce has stated that there is no demand for further retail development, stating that “there is a need to first fill in all those newly built and old standing retail developments before building yet another ghost development”.

In its objection, director general of RGDATA Tara Buckley says 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 has told the council there are 70 vacant units in Ennis, pointing out that the proposed development comprises three times this level of space.

The chamber says “there are many examples around the country where town and city centres have been decimated by new developments on the outskirts”.

The objection states: “The proposed development ... 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 Lynch company is due to respond to the council later this year.