*An artist’s sketch of the Supermac’s Plaza in Clare.
A SUPERMAC’S PLAZA on the outskirts of Ennis has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála.
Over six years after first lodging plans, Supermac’s can now proceed with its attempts to construct the €10m plaza which is to be located in Kilbreckan, Doora adjacent to junction 12 of the M18. The site had been zoned for an off-line motorway service area (MSA) in the Clare County Development Plan.
The Clare Echo has learned that An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision made by Clare County Council in December 2020 to grant planning permission to the development.
120 jobs will be created within a year of the developments, Supermac’s previously told The Clare Echo. The Clare facility will not be to the same scale as the Barack Obama Plaza in Moneygall. It is the fourth application the fast-food chain made for a plaza in the Banner County.
A service station building with convenience shop, food court, staff facilities, canopy, fuel facilities, parking and circulation space, children’s play area, picnic area and access provision will all be constructed as part of the plans.
Works also include infrastructural works, public lighting, signage, landscaping, internal fencing, electrical substation, 16 electric car charging points, roof mounted solar panels, storm water runoff, petrol interceptors and attenuation system, on-site wastewater treatment plant, pumping station and connection to public foul sewer, drainage improvement works, underground fuel storage tanks, rain water harvesting system, connection to public water supply, underground storage tanks for fire-fighting purposes, underground rain water harvesting tanks, works to improve visibility at access point, upgrade to adjacent roundabout and ancillary works.
Supermac’s first lodged plans for the motorway plaza in Clare in January 2016. Another application was marred in controversy when it emerged in 2018 that bogus letters of support were submitted to the local authority.
Plans were withdrawn following a request for further information. Fresh proposals were submitted in the winter of 2020 with planning granted by Clare County Council that December, subject to 25 conditions.
A month later, three appeals were lodged with An Bord Pleanála by local businesses. They included the operator of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, Duesbury Ltd, Ryan’s Centra, Ennis, Mill Road Motors, Ennis, Claureen Service Station, Ennis and Clarke’s Daybreak Supermarket and Petrol Station, Crusheen in one appeal along with appeals by Maxol Ltd and long time opponent of the plan and local landowner, Shane Brigdale.
Local businesses argued that the “excessive scale” of the development would have a “significant negative impact” on Ennis, Clarecastle and Crusheen. Among other submissions, Michael Duffy, chartered civil engineer, argued that the plans would increase traffic hazards and take business from Ennis among other items.
Mr Brigdale successfully opposed the Supermac’s plan at the appeals board previously. In his objection against the new plan, Mr Brigdale claims to have a right of way across the site which he uses on a daily basis to access his lands.
Prior to starting the development, a contribution of €48,408.80 is to be paid to Clare County Council in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area. A special development contribution of €35,000 is also to be paid to the council towards the improvement and maintenance of public infrastructure, in particular the cost of providing footpaths and public realm works in Doora.
