Protests ‘win’ battle for affordable housing instead of car park in Clare

The development, which has approval for government funding, is expected to have a capacity for 148 people

The 39 homes include six one-bed units, 10 two-bed units, 19 two-bed duplex apartments, and four three-bed apartments. File picture

An affordable housing scheme in Clare is to replace plans to level six homes into a car park, following angry community pushback.

Six houses on Francis St, in Ennis, were to be demolished to make way for a car park. However, some locals held protests and staged marches.

They argued that the money being used as part of the Ennis 2040 plan to develop the area would be best served revamping the houses. The council paused the project last year and has recently unveiled plans for the new development.

Campaigner Tommy Guilfoyle, who is part of the Save Francis Street group, said: “This is a step in the right direction, and it just shows you what ‘people power’ can do.

“We saw those houses, lying there on Francis St, that could have been done up for people to move into and we got together and formed an alliance with other groups.

“Those marches, and fighting back, resulted in a victory of this battle. It is by far a win for us, because what was going on in there was the building of a car park and that’s not good enough when there is a homeless crisis.”

The development, which has received approval for government funding, is expected to have a capacity for 148 people, according to plans online.

The 39 homes include six one-bed units, 10 two-bed units, 19 two-bed duplex apartments, and four three-bed apartments.

The construction is part of Clare County Council’s housing strategy to deliver newly built homes in Ennis and will be situated on a 0.41-hectare site.

The six houses on Francis St that were the subject of the protests were surveyed and asbestos was found in the roof slates, which will require specialist removal during the demolition phase. Picture: Clare Colleran Molloy

The development will include a four-storey block facing Francis St and a three-storey block facing Causeway Link.

The six houses on Francis St that were the subject of the protests were surveyed and asbestos was found in the roof slates, which will require specialist removal during the demolition phase. Construction works are due to begin in the next two months.

However, local Independent councillor Gerry Flynn said that he does not see the development as a victory.

“I don’t believe it is a victory for anyone,” Mr Flynn said. “The council is talking about constructing 39 apartments and the cost of that is very expensive and people don’t want to buy them.

There are unseen costs of management companies, service charges, and there will be little or no car parking, as the site is too small.

“I am chair of housing policy for County Clare and experts that deliver projects every year wouldn’t agree with this, and they are the people who should be delivering it.

“I would prefer to see a bit of sheltered housing and homes for the elderly people and people with disabilities, because they want to be in a place where they can access services, and that’s ideal for them.

“I don’t see it as a good thing at all,” Mr Flynn said.