CLARE County Council has granted planning permission for a large scale housing development in Quin.
Last month, the council gave the green light to plans by Datcha Construction to develop 41 residential units at Quin Gardens.
Planning permission is subject to 25 conditions.
The development comprises 13 detached houses, 10 semi-detached houses and 18 terrace houses and includes ancillary surface car parking, vehicular and pedestrian access to the proposed development, connection to existing public water supply; foul water drainage services including the provision of surface water attenuation and all associated site development and landscape works
The 1.87 hectare site is on the south of Quin Village near the Newmarket on Fergus road.
In submissions, local residents had expressed concern over the potential impact on traffic flows, access and the possible impact on the lesser Horseshoe bat.
Last year the council sought further information as “The proposed development has direct hydrological connectivity to the lower River Shannon Special Area Conservation (SAC) and is also in close proximity to the Poulnagordom Cave Quin (SAC) and old domestic buildings (Creevagh) SAC”.
The request continued. “Therefore the development must be assessed in terms of its potential impact on these designated sites and it compliance with objective CDP 14.2 European Sites of the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023, as varied. It must be satisfactorily demonstrated that the proposed development will not have significant adverse effect on the status of the European sites and their associated qualifying interest features and will not negatively affect the conservation objectives or the integrity of the European sites”.
In granting permission last month, the council states that, subject to conditions, “the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and would be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development in the area.”
A number of submissions raised concern over the potential impact of the development.
In a her submission, Quin Garden resident, Ann Crean stated she believed the development is “too large in an area where there is already an existing housing estate”.
Concern was also raised about road safety and access; traffic impacts; the potential for flooding and the impact on the lesser horseshoe bat.
The council also received a report from the from the government’s development applications unit (DAU).
The DAU noted that the proposed development encompassed a 1.87 hectare site.
The report states, “Given the scale, extent and location of the proposed development, it is possible that subsurface archaeological remains could be encountered during the construction phase that involves ground disturbance”.
In making its determination, the planner’s report states, “Having regard to the content of the Natura Impact Statement submitted as part of the planning application together with the bat survey report, flood risk assessment, outdoor lighting report and submissions received from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to qualifying interests and conservation objectives of the surrounding European sites, it was determined that the proposed development (either individually or in combination with other plans and projects) will not adversely affect the European site.”
The planning report states, “Having reviewed the qualifying interest features and Special Conservation Interests of the Poulnagordon Cave (Quin) SAC and the Old Domestic Buildings Keevagh SAC, Lower River Shannon SAC and River Shannon and Fergus estuaries SPA respectively and the absence of a direct footprint associated with the works to within a European site, I am satisfied that there is no potential for direct effects from proposed works”.
On the potential impact on the lesser Horseshoe bat, the planner’s report says that site clearance will be undertaken outside the active bat season and bird nesting season.
The report states that the area on the southwest of site will be maintained as a biodiversity area and fenced off from the remainder of the site prior to the commencement of the development.
Construction work is also to follow guidance from Inland Fisheries Ireland for the protection of the fish habitat.
