Council’s demolition study to cost €100k

Clare County Council has come under fire after opting to spend up to €100,000 on an Environmental Impact Study to assess whether or not to demolish two 19th century protected homes.

The demolition on Blake’s Corner, in the north Clare town of Ennistymon, is aimed at eliminating the daily traffic snarl-ups in the town.

The two protected structures are immortalised in John Hinde postcards and have also been featured in books on Irish vernacular architecture and in historical shopfront posters.

The proposed demolition is being opposed by the Save Ennistymon Heritage Group.

Senior council official Tom Tiernan said it will take four months to draw up the study, and it will take An Bord Pleanála a further six months to evaluate the plan.

Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway described the EIS spend as “a complete waste of money”.

“It is regrettable that Clare County Council feels its necessary to now go to An Bord Pleanála with their application regarding this danger zone and furthermore to have to carry out an EIS which could cost €100,000,” he said.