*Senator Victor Boyhan and Cllr Gerry Flynn.
CLARE COUNCILLORS need to step up and not relinquish control to the Ennis 2040 DAC, a Dublin Senator has said while pledging to raise matters relating to the 2040 Strategy with the Minister for Housing.
Senator Victor Boyhan (IND) visited Ennis on Tuesday on the invitation of Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) to assess the Francis Street site, for which a design team was appointed to last week by the Ennis 2040 DAC for a mixed-use development.
Up to 45 housing units could be built on the site, Ennis 2040 DAC maintained while groups such as the Francis Street Alliance have stressed that the site has the potential to cater for persons with different needs.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Boyhan voiced his surprise with the actions of Clare County Council regarding the project. “It is a wonderful site and for housing, I commend Clare County Council for the initiative but I am some bit surprised that they are not developing it themselves given that Clare County Council is a housing and planning authority, it has functions for housing, I sit as a representative on the Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government so I am very aware of the challenges for housing, the importance to support any initiative for housing and it’s important we don’t get caught up in an ideology of who is building housing.
“This is a very suitable site in the heart of Ennis and therefore very suitable for people with special needs, disabilities or older people, I’ve seen other very successful initiatives where the local authorities have encouraged and supported people from downsizing from existing social housing stock to give them appropriate sizing for their housing need. I’m somewhat surprised with the suggestion that the Council would pursue commercial development on the site because I’ve walked around Ennis today, it is a beautiful town, it’s not a criticism of the town or local Government structures but there are great opportunities for rejuvenation of shops and commercial premises, that can be taken up within the cohort of the town but the site in question is really suitable and it should be encouraged,” he added.
A member of the Seanad since 2016, he felt Ennis could not miss out on the chance to have a residential scheme in the heart of the town. “One thing that is endearing is the eclectic mix of architecture in Ennis which are the small artisan cottages and the mixed units with people living over shops. Ennis is a vibrant community, I’d love to live here, you can get a feel and a buzz about the town, it is a really nice place to be and I think it can be a win win situation, I don’t like to hear of divisiveness on housing projects, let’s work together. The Council could drive this themselves, they need to control this”.
Comments of Ennis 2040 board member, Gerry Cahill on Clare FM that the town was behind the curve when it came to housing were criticised by Cllr Flynn. “The councillors in Clare need to see where their mandate came from and they need to do the right thing for the people that need their support. It is not about high density, I heard the Chair of this DAC Board say we are behind the curve in housing, I’m actually in front of the curve since 1999, I’m a long time working in housing and we’re still changing it to suit the needs of the people because there are people that need additional support, people with disabilities, we’ve a lot of young people that are abandoned in nursing homes and they have nowhere else to stay, we need to look after them, we have older people who want to step down and the new buzz word for that is right sizing. It is not always about putting people in pigeon holes and trying to put in as many pigeons as you can, people are not pigeons, they need homes and to know that the councillors that they have elected at local level will stand up for their rights and not be defending private companies”.
Senator Boyhan admitted he had a concern when it came to designated active companies. “I’m always worried about DACs because at the end of the day people elect councillors to advocate for them and represent them. I know Gerry Flynn for years, I know his enthusiasm and his priority is to represent the people, to respect them and listen to them. Councillors have the opportunity to fully control and fully determine the outcomes for this site in Ennis, why would you relinquish that control, they can have total control over the design stage and I think that is what people expect of their councillors. Remember, we are only passing through as politicians, I’m passing through the Seanad and councillors are passing through Clare County Council, we’re in elected office to represent the community and if people lose confidence in you they have every right to put you out of office”.
He confirmed to The Clare Echo that he would be discussing the matter in more detail with the Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government, Darragh O’Brien (FF). “There is an opportunity here for everybody, let’s secure and restore the old cottage on the ground and let’s build out on the site but what is appropriate, high density is very different to high buildings, people like their own doors, they like a turnkey and that is what we are looking for, building homes within communities and I think it’s important we are realistic and that we have something that is sustainable and that people want to live in, there are huge opportunities, it can be a win win situation if people come together and work together for the common good which is housing for the people in Ennis”.
