*Harvey’s Quay (Parnell Street car park).
SENIOR OFFICIALS in Clare County Council and Ennis 2040 DAC are still intent on submitting applications for planning approval to build on Abbey Street and Parnell Street carparks despite a former Mayor of Clare brandishing the plans as “criminal”.
Elected members of the local authority have also criticised the DAC for “a lack of transparency” which is hurting any attempts to get the public on board with the strategy.
Both the car parks of Abbey Street and Parnell Street (Harvey’s Quay) in Ennis have been listed as transformational sites in the Ennis 2040 strategy since its adoption and launch in October 2021.
Labelled as mixed-use developments, the projects have received more backlash than other aspects of the economic and spatial stategy.
Clarification was sought by Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) at the February sitting of the Ennis Municipal District “on any proposed developments” for the car parks. He requested “specific timelines” for the consideration of any planning application and the reports from public consultation events held twelve months ago.
Acting Director of Service, Seán Lenihan noted that both sites were identified as “key opportunity sites critical to Ennis’ future growth. Following extensive public consultation and engagement with key stakeholders, the project team consisting of Ennis 2040 personnel, technical advisers and Council staff have carried out considerable work on both projects with a view to submitting for planning approval to the appropriate authority”.
Interim Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Carmel Kirby has scheduled a behind closed doors with Ennis councillors to discuss the matter further on March 4th.
Speaking at the Ennis MD meeting, Cllr O’Callaghan commented, “the reply effectively says planning is proposed but I as an elected member am not aware of this”. He said promises were made in May 2023 that elected members “would be informed and advised in the process. As far as I’m concerned there has been a total vacuum and there is a lack of transparency”.
O’Callaghan was critical that no report had been received following well-attended public consultation events in Ennis, Barefield and Clarecastle last year. He felt it needed to be made clear who was advising the DAC. “This is only telling us that something is happening,” he interpreted of the reply.
Supporting the proposal, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF), “Cllr O’Callaghan is asking very valid questions, we’re searching for valid answers”.
With Ann Norton’s (IND) retirement from politics, there has been one less elected member on the Board of the Ennis 2040 DAC, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) flagged. “We’re in a bit of a vacuum, since the local election and Cllr Norton stepping away, she had been on the board of Ennis 2040, there is a gap and it needs to be filled without further delay, the sooner we have three councillors on the board the better”.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who sits on the Board alongside Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said she agreed with Murphy’s view. “It is important that we get the information sought on this,” she added and believed the workshop to be held next month would be a help.
As he struggled to get the attention of the Mayor to speak, Cllr Pat Daly (FF) remarked “keep an eye on the mics, good girl”. He said he disagreed with the views of Lenihan that the Abbey Street and Parnell Street are “critical to Ennis’ future growth” and stated, “I totally disagree, parking is at a premium in Ennis and to take away them sites is criminal”.
Councillors are not at liberty to receive information on the plans for some reason, Cllr O’Callaghan said. “I have real concerns financially on how we will pay the money back”. He continued, “I firmly believe a full independent review needs to be done on Ennis 2040 to ensure compliance. Who is advising us. The end result is value for money, it is disappointing because there is a lack of transparency and a vacuum”. He was assured by the Mayor these questions would be answered at the behind closed doors workshop.
