Leaving the post of conservation officer vacant contributed to demolition of a historic building in Ennis town.
In a proposal to the local authority, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) urged Clare County Council to fill the post of conservation officer. “The position has been vacant for some time and there are community projects and other planning issues that need the input of same”.
Director of Economic Development, Liam Conneally said the matter is currently being reviewed by the Executive, “the council will continue to engage external conservation expertise where required until such time as the position is filled”. He expressed his satisfaction that conservation issues arising in relation to Section 57 declaration requests, planning applications requiring conservation input and the upcoming Clare County Development Plan 2022-2028 “will be adequately addressed”.
He revealed that one unsuccessful attempt to replace the conservation officer has been made. “We’ve tweaked the duties in the post to widen the net in the qualifications required”.
Several community workers had raised their concern with Cllr Ryan. “I am hopeful that somebody would be appointed in the near future. It is probably not easy to fill the position,” he conceded.
Huge importance is associated with the position, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) affirmed. “We’re very proud of our heritage, the lack of a conservation officer was highlighted recently with the knocking of the beautiful building at the Old Braids site in Ennis,” he stated.
In September, the historic Old Braids chimney was demolished. It was described at the time by Better Ennis as “a landmark that made our skyline that little bit more unique”.
Kilkee’s centre is an area of conservation, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) highlighted, the absence of such an officer has been visible with recent developments at the coastal location he believed. “This is a serious deficit in the Council. It is telling on us, the decision not to have the officer”.
Efforts of Congella McGuire, Helen Walsh and John Quinn were applauded by Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG). “An awful lot of our properties are protected structures,” he said. Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) issued her support for the proposal. Appropriate employment of Council staff was highlighted by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP).
Consultants are being liaised with on major projects, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) acknowledged. “There are lots of buildings in Co Clare and people don’t know if they are of conservation value or not. It is necessary that the vacancy would be filled”. Cllr John Crowe (FG) commented, “It is very important that we have an officer in our county. All our villages and towns are empty”.
Guidance of a conservation officer is needed in the county, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) felt. “My own homeplace dates back to 1660s, my brother took it on and got great assistance from Dick Cronin, a lot of the work at The Castle in Clarecastle was also supported by Dick Cronin”. A contact should be made available to councillors until an appointment is made, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) suggested.
