A public consultation meeting will take on board “the concerns of the community” on Tuesday evening ahead of a proposed development at Ashline, Kilrush Rd in Ennis.

Elected members of the Ennis Municipal District were briefed last week about the planned development. The Council recently acquired 0.683 zoned residential and low density residential from the Killaloe Diocese. They now intend to combine this with a 0.93Ha adjacent site in their ownership to develop a social housing scheme to address the high needs in the county town.

In 2017, the Council applied to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government for funding for forty units in Ashline. At present, an estimated 1,112 applicants are on the housing list for Ennis. The Department sanctioned an all inclusive budget to the sum of €7,854,000. This includes; housing construction, site costs, design team, utilities and abnormalities.

A brief given to councillors stated “given the complexity of the site, the Council is proposing to engage in preliminary public consultation on June 19th, 18.00 – 19.30 in the Temple Gate Hotel”. It is anticipated that the scheme will be lodged for planning in September subject to Department approval. It would be the first housing scheme in the town in a decade.

Reacting to the brief, Cllr Johnny Flynn highlighted that “forty units are badly needed”. He asked the Council to consider purchasing the right lane to resolve a public right of way issue. Cllr James Breen then requested that the bylaws in relation to illegal parking be brought before the next meeting in conjunction to Ashline bylaws not being adhered to, “it’s not rocket science” he said of the appeal.

Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy stated that she passes the site daily. She has seen videos of parents being harassed when passing the laneway. The Quin native supported Cllr Flynn’s calls to take ownership.

“There’s a war between Woodhaven and where the houses would be”, commented Cllr Pat Daly. Residents are very worried, he added and emphasised the importance of the houses design. “When we get to the building stage, we could have a problem with illegal residents in laneways”, cautioned Cllr Ann Norton.

She added, “There is illegal encampment, are they going to move on when building starts, will they drive builders demented? The Council needs to have a plan in place so residents are removed, one particular family is getting away with dictating to Clare County Council with what they can and can’t do”.

Fine Gael’s Mary Howard outlined that children are being scared by activity at the site. “Pups are running around frightening the children”, she pointed out that punching bags are back up at the location and stressed the importance of the public consultation going ahead.

6pm is the start time for this evening’s meeting at The Temple Gate.

Related News

ennis courthouse tent 24-02-21 1
Four members of Ennis Doherty family plead guilty to charges arising from major Clare Garda investigation
sinn féin front bench 1
Donna added to Sinn Féin's front bench
drumbiggle encapment 1
Illegal encampment takes over Council car park
scool corofin protest 22-05-23 10
Leaving Cert student pleads guilty to assaulting man at protest against rumoured new accommodation for asylum seekers in Corofin
Latest News
ennis courthouse tent 24-02-21 1
Four members of Ennis Doherty family plead guilty to charges arising from major Clare Garda investigation
sinn féin front bench 1
Donna added to Sinn Féin's front bench
drumbiggle encapment 1
Illegal encampment takes over Council car park
clare v leitrim 02-05-25 peter keane 1
Rule on three back 'frustrating' for Keane as he stresses importance of home wins
scool corofin protest 22-05-23 10
Leaving Cert student pleads guilty to assaulting man at protest against rumoured new accommodation for asylum seekers in Corofin
Premium
stflannans staff
HSE given deadline over planned €25m hospitals for lands at St Flannan's College
bridge utd v dungarvan utd 02-05-25 liam buckley 5
Bridge Utd book Munster Junior Cup quarter-final spot
pj o'driscoll 1
'One of Ireland's greatest vets' - the legacy of generous gentleman PJ O'Driscoll will live on
garda cars ballymaley
Two members of Ennis family plead not guilty to contributing to activities of criminal organisation
jamesie o'connor st flannan's college 1
'We didn't adapt to conditions but we can bounce back' - Jamesie on Flannan's Harty Cup loss

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top