WARNINGS have been issued by an Ennis developer that housing developments in Newmarket-on-Fergus will be impacted by wastewater deficiencies in the village.
Construction on the delivery of eighteen social housing units in Newmarket-on-Fergus commenced in the third quarter of last year with six to be completed by the end of this year and the remainder due to be finished by the first quarter of 2021.
Clare County Council is on track to deliver an additional 322 homes by direct build across the county by 2023 with two-thirds of these already complete or under construction. In anticipation of the new housing programme
Speaking at a recent sitting of the Social Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Larry Brennan of Woodhaven Developments referred to mention of developments in Newmarket-on-Fergus development. He claimed that the village was “not ready for construction”.
Similar concerns have been expressed by the Ennis man at meetings of the SPC in the past claiming there were “major problems” within the village with senior executive engineer, Adrian Headd referencing an agreement with Irish Water to “bring the Newmarket-on-Fergus infrastructure up to standard”.
In February 2019, Woodhaven Developments lodged plans to construct a 51 housing development in Ballynacragga in Newmarket. Residents objected and flagged that the development in the woodland area was almost four times what had been identified in its potential in the County Development Plan while also sharing concerns on sewerage and the pressure the existing water infrastructure.
At the most recent SPC sitting, Brennan acknowledged he had a conflict of interest after commenting to which SPC Chair, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) stated, “if you do, you shouldn’t be discussing this”.
Brennan then informed the meeting the refusal of planning was appealed to An Bord Pleanála “and I was told it can’t happen until the necessary works are carried out. Is there one law for Clare County Council and one for everyone else,” he remarked.
“That won’t be answered today, you are representing CIF here today,” Cllr Flynn reminded the developer.
