*Photograph: John Mangan
A RESET of the Ennis 2040 strategy is the prevailing of common sense according to elected members of the Ennis Municipal District.
Tuesday’s behind closed doors briefing of Ennis MD councillors, Council officials and acting Chief Operating Officer of Ennis 2040 DAC, Padraic McElwee brought confirmation that the economic and spatial strategy is adapting a new approach.
Plans to build on the car parks in Abbey Street and Harvey’s Quay (Parnell Street) have been paused, for now while a review is to be initiated of The Post Office proposal particularly the provision of a boardwalk.
An emphasis on housing provision emerged at the briefing with negotiations to recommence with the Department of Housing.
The Clare Echo spoke with all seven elected members of the Ennis MD to ascertain their views following the briefing.
Sitting board member of Ennis 2040 DAC, Cllr Mary Howard stated, “I have a fiduciary duty to the board, a lot of what happens in the board is commercially sensitive, there are projects in sight and mind, proposed projects will be brought to our attention in the coming weeks, it is important to wait for those, it is good to stop and breathe, the pause is very welcome”.
She added, “They were always proposed projects, they were part of the vision for 2040, they were never written in stone, nothing went into planning about them or plans drawn up for public consumption, we saw an artist’s impression, that was not the final product or never the final product”.
Cllr Howard noted there is a lot of changes in personnel among the senior management of the Council and among staff of Ennis 2040 DAC. She stressed, “it is not just about one car park, it is about economic development in the town of Ennis, it became about a car park and that should never have happened”.
Among the most vocal of the 28 councillors on Ennis 2040 has been Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). He said, “This is the right decision, it shows common sense has prevailed, we now need a review on where we stand going forward. The concern I will always have and it hasn’t gone away and that is the cost and is it an unnecessary spend”.
He continued, “The Abbey Street and Parnell Street carparks case underscores the importance of agility, inclusivity, and foresight in urban planning. By embedding these lessons into future strategies, Ennis can transform challenges into opportunities for resilient, community-driven development. Projects should not only address immediate needs but also anticipate future trends, ensuring the town remains vibrant and sustainable beyond 2040”.
Deputy Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua (FF) outlined, “I’m open to change but it has to be the right change. For those of us who wanted to save the car parks, it is a positive step but it is only paused which means we will go back and look at it again, it is one step in the ladder but a positive step, overall it was quite positive”. She said, “It is a positive step that they have paused the developments, please God there will be more positivity with the other plans. I still don’t really like the plans for the Post Office Field, I don’t see the boardwalk as a positive but that is me, they will revisit thayt, I think the money could be better spent but that is a decision for another day”.
Elected for the first time last June, Antoinette added, “Some stuff won’t happen till 2040 but we have to put a very positive spin on our town, it was very negative for such a long time regarding Ennis 2040, it was all or nothing till now. It has to be the right change, it has to suit our small little town which has to be reinvigorated”. Parking spaces must be kept in Ennis, she stressed while pointing out “80 percent of people coming into Ennis are driving”, the offering in the county town must be promoted at every opportunity, “I’d ask people to be patient, still come into town, if you’ve to park a little further from the town you get to see so much more.
Steps in the right direction have been taken, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) felt. “I welcome any actions taking steps towards not carrying out these projects in Abbey Street, Harvey’s Quay and the Post Office Field”. He added, “If we are to create a campaign across the town for the various projects it is an advancement in the battle field, the people stood up for Francis Street and were accounted for, we welcome the decision to build affordable and accessible homes on the site, I hope to see the project starting and accelerating seeing as the judicial review has gone away. There was massive public outcry to the projects in Abbey Street, Harvey’s Quay and the Post Office Field, I hope the Ennis 2040 DAC will listen to the overwhelming public opinion and do what is needed for Ennis and not a fanciful idea which is totally and utterly mistaken”.
Clarecastle based Guilfoyle is currently actively involved on the committee ‘Hands off the Post Office Field, he said their campaign is building momentum. “It is a unique touch to have green wildlife sanctuary and flood plan in the heart of the town which many people call the lung of the town. If Abbey Street is the heart of the town then the Post Office Field is the lung. The Post Office Field brings a different element to the town which could build tourism rather than a walkway which has been disputed by business leaders as a future vehicle for anti-social behaviour. “Let us go about business by purchasing old the Analog building at the side of the post office and turn it into eco-friendly centre, possibly a café and tourism hub where tourists can buy a cuppa and take in about ecosystem and its wildlife from perfect position of Analaog building, we all need more tourism attractions to retain tourists in the town, this could be one of the attractions rather than construction over cherished wildlife natural reserve”.
Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) commented, “It was a positive reaction from all seven councillors, the briefing indicated we will keep moving for housing provision on Francis Street, there are other houses to be worked on. The other opportunities have prompted the board to say we should pause the projects”. She said, “I believe even the councillors who have had serious concerns now realise, my interpretation is that they realise the importance of this effort to make Clare a regional economic driver”.
Taking a step back is the right approach, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) maintained. “It is the right thing to do to pause the two bigger projects on Abbey Street and Harvey’s Quay, without a shadow of a doubt. I tabled a couple of motions last year that resources could be better utilised to tackle dereliction and anti-social behaviour in the town, I’d still stick by them”.
He continued, “there’s lots of ways for Ennis to go forward, you have to provide an alternative if you are getting rid of car parks, Cloister is coming on stream, I’m not in favour of doing anything on Abbey Street or Harvey’s Quay until alternative parking is provided”.
According to Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “It was a very positive meeting I thought, there was a lot of good things regarding the development at Francis Street, the site at Roche, the Post Office Field, extra car parking at the Cloister but at the same time I have a problem with the proposed development of Abbey Street and Parnell Street car parks. I think it is good that it is put on hold but I believe Ennis 2040 need to scour the town and find a site for what they require”.
Councillors were unanimous in their praise of McElwee’s calming influence as interim COO. “Padraic has been around the town for a good few years, I’m not knocking his predecessor Kevin Corrigan but Padraic is an Éire Óg man for want of a better word, he gets the pulse of the people in the town,” Cllr Murphy commented. Cllr Daly aired a similar view, “Padraic McElwee has brought fresh air into it, he has good ideas so hopefully things will improve, it is good to see a meeting that councillors air their views”.
