SHANNON Athletic Club have been granted planning permission to construct a new 400m running track at Tullyvarraga in the town, following a long running development saga.
The club have also been granted permission for ancillary track facilities, changing rooms, an enlarged parking area and floodlighting by the local authority.
An initial application was submitted by Shannon AC on the 26th of November 2025. Clare County Council halted progress on the project however by ordering that further information be submitted on 29th of January of this year.
The planning department expressed concerns over the proposed development’s potential environmental impacts due to its proximity to the Lower River Shannon area of Special Conservation and River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Areas.
The local authority questioned the initial absence of an environmental assessment and ordered that one be submitted as part of the further information request in order to assess the impact the project could have on local protected species and habitats.
Clare County Council also expressed concerns over the potentially polluting materials such as diesel used during construction of the car park and the risk of runoff into the SAC.
The planning department also found issues with the proposed site layout plan, requiring that several alterations be made in order for the project to be approved.
The council stated that secure bicycle parking and a designated pedestrian route be included, as well as widened footpaths to improve accessibility and sustainability at the site.
Shannon AC managed to overcome these setbacks however and can now begin work on the sizable development for Clare’s second largest town.
In their subsequent application, the club included a Screening for Appropriate Assessment Report that found the development would have “no significant” environmental or hydrological effects on the surrounding areas of conservation.
A revised site layout plan in accordance with Clare County Council’s recommendations was also submitted and accepted.
The club were spurred on to continue with the application following the receipt of €740 funding from Clare County Council under the Clare Local Area Grant Scheme 2025 which encourages and assists community and voluntary groups to take part in the development of their communities and improve the quality-of-life experience in their areas.
Shannon AC also benefited from the work of Cllr. Gerry Flynn (IND) who helped to secure additional funding for the new 107 car parking spaces, including three disability spaces, and four coach spaces.
Formed in 1969 before suspending operations in 2020, Shannon Athletic Club initially lodged plans for this development in 2004, being granted conditional permission in 2015 before this timeframe expired. Revived in 2024 and now boasting over 230 members, the club began tentative works to improve their existing facilities.
Following the planning department’s decision to grant permission, work can now get underway to finally bring the project to completion.
