Rare bats may thwart church’s housing plans in Clare

Plans for a housing development on Catholic Church lands on the outskirts of Ennis, Co Clare, may be thwarted by the presence of a protected bat species.

The Killaloe Diocesan Trust has succeeded in getting land rezoned for low density housing at Cahercalla More, Beechpark, Ennis, despite opposition from the council executive, but the presence of Lesser Horsehoe bats could change matters.

Councillors voted to change the recreation zoning to low-density residential in the interest of pedestrian access, movement, and safety, and also passed a resolution that was incorporated into the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2017 to 2023.