*The old Ennis abattoir. Photograph: Páraic McMahon
PLANS TO turn the Ennis abattoir into Clare’s first padel facility are on hold.
Clare County Council have requested further information to the planning application for a gym and padel court facility on the Tulla Rd in Ennis. The proposed transformation of Keane’s Abattoir into a modern fitness hub, complete with five padel courts and an outdoor leisure area, has drawn support from local councillors but now faces a delay as the applicants have been ordered to provide further information.
Initial plans were to change the use of the abattoir to gym and carry out alterations to the building which would include an exterior leisure area, the construction of five padel courts, the demolition of the cattle shed, the addition of carparking plus associated site works and services.
Planning was lodged by Quin native Sean Hehir who is currently based in the United States of America.
Architects Hassett and Leydon state in their planning report that the development will help to generate employment opportunities as well as offering a mix of both commercial and recreational use for gymgoers. The facility had hoped to attract both day and evening visitors to add to the area’s vibrancy. The abattoir is located beside the rail bridge on the Tulla Road on the main Limerick to Athenry line.
Both Cllr Mary Howard (FG) and Cllr Pat Daly (FF) made representations in support of the proposed development.
The planning report lists a number of benefits associated with padel courts. The application states that “padel courts promote social inclusivity, as the sport is designed to be accessible to a wide range of age groups and abilities. This aligns with Ireland’s commitment to fostering community health and engagement. Additionally, padel’s smaller court size and doubles format encourage social interaction and team play, helping build stronger community connections”.
Padel Tennis or Padel is a racket sport of Mexican origin and is played in over 90 countries around the world. The sport combines elements of squash and tennis and is played by the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. It has been described as the fastest growing sport in the world with a facility opening in Limerick on January 24th.
The economic potential of the proposed development is also highlighted as the plans outline that, “installing a padel court can attract more members or visitors to sports clubs, leisure centres, or community parks, boosting local tourism and economic activity. This aligns with Ireland’s goal to increase engagement in sport and recreation as outlined in government policies”.
Also included in the plans is the addition of 22 parking spaces at the site which the planning report states is necessary due to the provision of both five padel courts and gym facilities. “The proposed development ensures adequate parking to cater for the anticipated demand from both the gym users and the padel court visitors. This level of parking provision aligns with the recommendations in the Clare County Development Plan and will help to prevent any potential overspill parking or impacts on the surrounding road network”.
Clare County Council are seeking further information on the development, however. The planning authority has requested the applicant to revise the site layout plan. “While the proposed development is largely acceptable in principle, the planning authority has concerns in respect of a number of key items of the proposal in terms of compliance with the site zoning by reason of the layout”. Padel courts four and five together with four parking spaces are in a buffer space which needs to be amended, the Council detailed.
Further information is also sought with regards to an ecological impact assessment and a revised parking layout.
In a submission, Iarnród Éireann flagged the site’s proximity to the Limerick to Athenry line. While the rail provider has no objection to the development in principle, they have asked that a number of safety precautions be put in place.
They ask that “No building, including the proposed padel courts, shall be constructed within two metres of the boundary treatment on the applicants’ side. This is to allow for the applicant to maintain his / her building, without the need to enter railway property” and that “no additional liquid, either surface water or effluent shall be discharged to, or allow to seep onto, the railway property or into railway drains / ditches”.
Iarnród Eireann has also raised a number of issues relating to the actual rail line itself. CIE has requested that “lights from the proposed development, either during the construction phase or when the development is completed, should not cause glare or in any way impair the vision of train drivers or personnel operating on-track machines”. The transport provider has also asked that they be notified if a crane or any structure that could swing over rail property is to be used at the site.
