Permission refused for new housing development in Ennis

An Bord Pleánala has refused permission for a new housing development on the outskirts of Ennis.

Clare County Council had granted conditional permission for the construction of 13 detached homes in March 2022 but an appeal against this decision was subsequently lodged.

The proposed development would have consisted of 11 two-storey and two single-storey houses on a 1.9 hectare site at Knockanean - around 3.5km from the town centre.

The plan also included the provision of a pedestrian footbridge connecting to the nearby Gort Leamhan housing estate and the installation of public lighting.

Summarising the objections, senior planning inspector Suzanne Kehely said there were concerns given the flood plain location and the inaccessible nature of the site.

She also noted that strong concerns were expressed that the proposed development would create a traffic hazard.

In her recommendation to the board that permission be refused, she stated: "It is considered that the proposed low density development in a location lacking pedestrian connectivity to the town centre would be highly car dependant and would in the manner proposed constitute piecemeal, fragmented and uncoordinated development in a rural type location and would therefore be in direct conflict with the strategic settlement objective for Ennis.

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Members of the board formally decided to refuse permission at a meeting earlier this month.