*The site of the Shannon Shamrock Hotel.
PLANNING PERMISSION has been granted for the development of 58 houses at the site of the former Shannon Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty.
By Dearbhla Parry.
This is despite a strong swathe of local opposition which included thirty five submissions.
Clare County Council have granted a seven-year planning permission for the demolition of the existing Bunratty hotel that has been vacant for sixteen years, with 29 conditions. The development consists of a phased delivery of 58 residential units, a 470sqm convenience store, and six retail/office units.
Originally seeking permission for 67 residential units, the applicant, Crescent House Limited, has been granted permission for 58 units, comprising of 12 two-bedroom units, 42 three-bedroom units, and four four-bedroom units. A bat house, car and bicycle parking, signage, public lighting, and two ESB sub-stations will also be constructed.
A total of 35 submissions have been received by Clare County Council objecting to this development. Complaints have been pouring in all year from locals who highlighted their visual impact and noise concerns, while some worried that the development may negatively impact the setting of Bunratty Castle.
The most apparent oppositions were regarding Bunratty’s boosting tourism, highlighting that renovating the existing Shannon Shamrock would be a better option than housing. “Brendan O’Regan developed the Banquets at the Castle to encourage American Tourists to stay in Clare for a night, that was 1963 and today there is nowhere for them to stay, we have regressed,” said Newmarket-on-Fergus native Kenneth Arthur.
Colin Walsh, a fellow Bunratty resident commented, “There is a serious lack of accommodation in the area for tourists and people coming to the area for weddings and such events. Plus the village is not equipped for more people to live here permanently”.
Bunratty Local Development Association spoke about the possible long-term effects of the project: “This is the only site left in the centre of Bunratty village suitable for tourism and related commercial activities and any failure, now, to locate these types of facilities on this site would be completely detrimental to the future development of Bunratty village”.
In their planner’s report, the County Council stated that the development will not have a negative impact on Bunratty Castle. “Having regard to the nature and layout of the development as proposed and in particular to the commercial element, it is considered that the proposal will contribute positively to the character of the settlement and provide for much needed additional services and housing”.
Ivan Tuohy from Bunratty complained, “The development lacks consistency with other local estates within the village and is not in keeping with the traditional style of Bunratty.” In response to the project’s visual impact, the Clare County Council said, “The layout of the development on the southern boundary adjoining Bunratty Castle has been amended to reduce the number, proximity and scale of the housing in this location”.
Development will be carried out between the hours of 7:30am to 7:00pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8:00am to 2:00pm on Saturdays.
As part of the 29 conditions laid out by the Clare County Council, bat boxes will be put in place and monitored throughout the demolition phase, all planting will be protected from damage until established, street lighting shall be provided, the open spaces shall be developed for and devoted to public use, the floor level plans of the proposed residential units shall not be modified, and the development will be open plan.
Crescent House Limited are to pay a contribution of €268,769 as well as a €290,000 bond ahead of construction.
