PERMISSION for a 53 unit housing development at Ballymaley and Ballycorey in Ennis has been granted by An Bord Pleanála.
A joint planning application by both Custy and John Talty construction for the proposed development has finally been given approval after numerous stumbling blocks over a period of two years.
The two construction firms had first lodged an application for the mixed residential development in December 2024. The applicants were ordered to produce further information by the local authority in November 2025 due to repeated objections of an environmental nature before the application was finalised and permission was granted subject to several conditions in February of this year.
One of the initial objectors to the proposed development, Michael Duffy of Kilfenora, made an appeal to An Bord Pleanála following this decision, again stopping the houses from being built. The planning authority ruled in favour of the development however, meaning it can now go ahead although it will still be subject to several conditions.
Mr Duffy initially voiced his concern over several potential wastewater issues at the large site, which is located close to Lough Girroga on the Gort Road, alleging that “The infiltration rates submitted are extreme and such that any polluted surface waters will infiltrate rapidly to the already at risk groundwater. The design should facilitate natural treatment methods for the treatment of groundwater prior to discharge to ground or surface waters”.
Mr Duffy also questioned how construction and demolition waste would be treated at the proposed development, adding that “The application does not indicate the volume and/or tonnage of C&D waste arising from the proposal. The application does not state the volume and/or tonnage of waste to be removed from the proposed site”.
Noted objector and Green Party Representative Bridget Ginnity also objected to the development for a number of reasons, citing safe pedestrian access and renewable transport facilities as the main issues with the proposed development.
The applicants subsequently submitted the further information requested which addressed these issues, in the eyes of Clare County Council who granted permission for the houses to go ahead. Mr Duffy then lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála to halt the development. The planning board agreed with the local authority’s decision however and chose to grant permission subject to a number of conditions.
The conditions related to a number of environmental concerns regarding the site, including the presence of Lesser Horseshoe Bats in the area. The board stated that “The removal and disturbance of bats and the removal of the existing outbuilding on the site shall be carried out in accordance with the Bat Derogation License submitted. No work shall occur on the site in the absence of a valid license”.
Existing hedgerows to the rear of proposed housing units 1-18 are to be retained on site with the National Planning Board ordering that “Details of the success of planting and mammal corridor features shall be reviewed during a period of at least three years post construction with adaptive management to be implemented as required”. A pre-construction tree survey will also be undertaken.
A detailed construction management environmental plan will also be required, which “shall incorporate details for the collection and disposal of construction waste, surface water run-off from the site, on-site road construction, noise control and dust and vibration control”.
Work on the 53 house development on the edge of the county town can now finally begin following An Bord Pleanála’s decision to grant permission.
