Council to engage with Ennis residents as work to address anti-social behaviour is halted

Clare County Council has confirmed it is to exploring options to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour along the Bramble Lane (Limerick Road) area of Ennis. 

A senior official has told councillors that earlier this year, works to remove excessive overgrowth and to reinstate the area were halted after some local residents objected.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy put forward a Notice of Motion regarding this to the Ennis Municipal District (EMD) recommending the erection of a barrier to "discourage this behaviour." 

In a written reply, A/Senior Executive Engineer, Donnagh Murphy said that a desktop and visual assessment of the area was carried out in June 2024 following a request from Bramble Lane residents. A Biodiversity Officer, he added, was engaged in the process. 

Subsequently, it was agreed with the residents' request to remove excessive overgrowth and to reinstate the area.

However, Mr Murphy stated that this has not taken place. "At the time of mobilisation, in January of this year, some residents objected to works taking place. This resulted in the works being postponed."

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The local authority says it has since agreed to re-engage with the residents and discuss the issue further.

Mr Murphy said in his reply: "Removal of this overgrowth will reduce coverage around the subject green area which will reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping. Installing a fence around the existing green space is not a solution we would be looking to explore. The green space is an amenity area designed to be used by all residents within the estate for recreational and social purpose."

Should removal of the overgrowth proceed, the council's Biodiversity Officer has recommended that further field survey is carried out in advance, with removal works timed for outside the bird nesting season.

Depending on the outcome of this field visit, it is proposed to compensate for the loss of biodiversity by planting native trees in a scattered formation that align with Clare County Council’s guidance document ‘County Clare Tree Design Guide for Towns and Villages’ for housing estates.