Minutes of the July 2024 Special meeting of Clare County Council

Present

Councillors

Councillors P. Daly, A. Baker Bashua, T. O’Callaghan, A. O’Callaghan, D. Griffin, B. Slattery, D. Gould.

Officials

• Pat Dowling, Chief Executive.
• Ann Reynolds, Meetings Administrator.
• Aoife Coote, Assistant Staff Officer, Corporate Services.
• Carmel Kirby, Director of Planning and Economic Development.
• Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance and Support Services.
• Helen Quinn, Senior Planner, Planning and Economic Development

Present via MS Teams:

• M. Howard, P. Murphy, C. Colleran Molloy, P. Burke, T. O’Brien, D. McGettigan, R. Hartigan, T. Mulcahy, J. Garrihy, S. Talty, J. Killeen, R. McInerney, I. Lynch.
• John Corry, Acting Senior Executive Officer, West Clare Municipal District (North Clare)
• Tony Neville, Senior Executive Engineer, West Clare Municipal District (North Clare)

Absent

Cllrs. T. Guilfoyle, J. Cooney, P. Hayes, J. Crowe, P. O’Gorman, M. Begley, G. Keating, M. Shannon.

Presiding

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr A. O’Callaghan presided and welcomed the members to the special meeting.

Approval for Travel

It was approved that the Chair of the Twinning Committee, Cllr. Tony O’Brien travel to Milwaukee from the 14^th August 2024 to 19^th August 2024 to take part in the Milwaukee Irish Fest and to attend planned meetings in Milwaukee with the twinned New London (Wisconsin) – Killaloe Sister City relationship.

Ar moladh Cllr. B. Slattery
Cuidithe ag Cllr. T. O’Callaghan agus glacadh leis

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. A. O’Callaghan outlined the statutory item to be dealt with at the meeting as follows:

Item 1: Consideration of report in accordance with Part XI, Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and Part VIII, Article 80 and 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 as amended, Planning Reference P24-8008 for proposed development comprising of public realm/streetscape enhancement works including upgrades to footpaths, provision of a pedestrian friendly raised table area with controlled crossing, provision of a pedestrian friendly raised table with new courtesy crossing, raised courtesy crossings, revisions to on-street car parking layouts, new paved surfaces, relocation of existing and provision of new street lighting and street furniture and all associated services, site development and landscaping works.  This proposal relates to Ennistymon, Co Clare in the following areas: (1) Parliament Street (2) The Square /Church Street and (3) McInerney's Lane.  The subject works are located within the Ennistymon Architectural Conservation Area.

Chief Executive Report dated 22^nd July, 2024 from Helen Quinn, Senior Planner, Planning & Economic Development Directorate was circulated with the agenda (including Clare County Council’s Appropriate Assessment and Environmental Impact Screening Report, Ennistymon Public Realm Improvement Works Design Report, Outdoor lighting report and DMURs Compliance Audit). The reports outline details of proposed development comprising of public realm/streetscape enhancement works including upgrades to footpaths, provision of a pedestrian friendly raised table area with controlled crossing, provision of a pedestrian friendly raised table with new courtesy crossing, raised courtesy crossings, revisions to on-street car parking layouts, new paved surfaces, relocation of existing and provision of new street lighting and street furniture and all associated services, site development and landscaping works. 

This proposal relates to Ennistymon, Co. Clare in the following areas:

(1) Parliament Street

(2) The Square /Church Street

(3) McInerney's Lane. 

The subject works are located within the Ennistymon Architectural Conservation Area.

As the Chief Executive’s report had been duly considered by the members, in accordance with Section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, and Part VIII, Article 80 and 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001, as amended, and as there was no proposal to vary or modify the development, and as there was no proposal to refuse the development, accordingly, the development can proceed as outlined.

Ar moladh Cllr. S. Talty
Cuidithe ag Cllr. J. Garrihy agus glacadh leis

The elected members acknowledged the time and work that has gone into this proposed development and commended the team on the extensive public consultation undertaken. The members noted that the public realm enhancement works were needed within the town of Ennistymon but the members did raise concern over parking and in particular the parking spaces near the court house that were being reduced. The members noted that it is imperative that the car park development approved at Monastery Lane is commenced as soon as possible to avoid further disruption to the town.

P. Dowling, Chief Executive addressed the members and acknowledged that the streetscape enhancement works are very important to the town of Ennistymon and advised that the Monastery Lane carpark is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025. Mr. Dowling noted that the public realm works will be progressed at the earliest opportunity possible.

Conclusion

The meeting then concluded.

Signed: ____________________________
Riarthóir Cruinnithe

Signed: _____________________________
Cathaoirleach

Date:               _____________________________

Page last reviewed: 09/09/24

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