*Connolly village.
CONNOLLY village could receive a major facelift if planning is granted for a new development.
Approval has been sought by Connolly Community Development CLG for a new multipurpose community building.
Also included in the application are plans to “install a playground, sensory garden, landscaped areas and gravel walking paths with low level walking paths”. In addition to this, the group also hopes to construct “a new site entrance, footpath, carparking area, community signage and public lighting”.
The large site, which is located at the western entrance to the village on the road to Carney’s Pub, has already been cleared of vegetation in the hope that the application will be successful.
Despite its small size, Connolly already features a number of amenities such as a walking loop in Cloontabonniv and a strong Tidy Towns presence. If the new facilities are built, they would also be able to serve people in nearby communities such as Kilmaley, Mullagh, Kinturk and Inagh.
In a planning report made by McKenna Consulting Engineers, reference is made to the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029. The report outlines the objectives for Connolly which include an attempt “To consolidate the existing built form, whilst allowing for growth that will support the village centre, ensuring its vitality, whilst preserving and enhancing the character of the village”.
The report also states that attempts will be made to “ensure that future growth in Connolly is incremental and small-scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the population and services in the village”.
“Located on a main regional road, it is important that traffic flows are appropriately managed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users in the village. The village has seen little development in recent years although it has a significant number of individual houses and a housing estate. Connolly has potential for growth due to its proximity to Ennis and the robust nature of the landscape in which it is situated”, it continues.
Planning permission for eight houses on the current site was previously refused due to poor soil conditions and a lack of sewer facilities. As a result, plans for a 10,800L storage tank are included in McKenna’s planning report based on the assumption of “a loading of 3200L per month, that would give at least three months storage. The tank therefore becomes a holding tank that can be emptied as required. The tank can be fitted with an alarm to notify when it is near capacity”.
The McKenna report also refers to the potential economic impact of the development, citing the large area of forestry that surrounds the village. The report states that “This area is well positioned to become a centre for biomass production (wood chip/pellet) based on the public and private forestry resource in the west of the county. In addition to forestry, agriculture remains an important part of the local economy. In order to support economic development, the Council will facilitate and encourage farm enterprise and agri-tourism in Connolly”.
A decision is due to be made on the application by the 25th of March, 2025.
