*Photograph: Joe Buckley
PLANNING permission for a 38 house development in Sixmilebridge has been refused by Clare County Council over zoning and ecological concerns.
Ahaclare Developments Ltd submitted an application for the development in May. The refusal of the large estate comes after local residents raised concerns over the village’s continued expansion in recent years, with Datcha construction lodging plans for a 74 house development and Lidl getting the green light for a supermarket in the area.
Ahaclare’s application was rejected firstly due to the way in which lands are zoned on the subject site, located on Rosmanagher Road. The land is zoned as part of a ‘Strategic Reserve’ as part of Clare County Council’s County Development Plan 2023-2029. The lands are selected as part of “the long-term sequential expansion of Sixmilebridge”, in order to reduce the overcrowding plaguing the village.
The local authority stated in their refusal that “the proposal would be premature by reference to the order of priority for development indicated in the Development Plan”. The council further explained that the proposed development would also be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
Ecological issues also played a part in the planning department’s decision. The Council stated that the absence of a Screening for Appropriate Assessment meant it was not possible to conclude that the development would have no significant impact on nearby European sites.
Clare County Council maintained that the proposed development would have a negative impact on the biodiversity of the area, due to what was identified as a wetland area and badger activity at the site. This would further contravene with the county’s current development plan.
Ahaclare Developments now have a four week window to issue an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála and potentially reverse the Council’s decision.
