CONNOLLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT have been granted planning for a much needed community building in the village.
Plans for a playground, sensory garden and landscaped areas have been approved by Clare County Council.
Having applied for the development back in February, the community organisation were asked to provide further information in relation to a number of aspects. The planning department ordered that a letter of consent by the local group water scheme be added to the application, along with a revised site layout plan.
Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) and Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) had both voiced their backing for the project.
A planning report previously conducted by McKenna Consulting Engineers noted that “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”.
Clare County Council granted planning permission, subject to conditions which must be adhered to. The project site is located at the entrance to the small village, situated on the main Miltown Malbay to Ennis R474 road. Permission has also been granted for gravel walking paths with bollard lighting along with a new site entrance, car parking facilities and a pedestrian crossing link.
The West Clare village is home to a primary school, church and pub with the new community building designed to provide “a much-needed amenity and recreation space” to the local population. The new facilities will also be used by people from nearby Kinturk, Mullagh, Kilmaley and Inagh.