Clare County Council is to hold off on the demolition of six properties on Francis Street in Ennis.
The properties were purchased for Ennis 2040 by Clare County Council in late 2022 to maximise the opportunity of the adjacent green field site owned by the local authority at the rear of the properties.
It comes in the wake of a demonstration by members of the community last months.
There’s been growing concern among some members of the community in recent weeks about the planned demolition of the Francis Street cottages, in favour of a temporary car park.
These properties were assessed and found to be in varying states of disrepair and the cost associated with potential refurbishment into habitable housing units was deemed to be exorbitant and unviable.
An architectural feasibility study was undertaken to identify the delivery of a significantly higher number of residential units on the overall site as part of a modern, energy efficient mixed-use development.
The Director of Economic Development and Ennis Municipal District has acknowledged public concern about demolishing the houses at this time, without the reassurance of them being replaced with a comprehensive housing development.
Carmel Kirby has told today’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that until such time as the mixed use development is designed, the 6 properties will not be demolished.
She anticipates that the mixed use development will yield up to 45 housing units at this site, with scheme designs due to be presented to the public and Elected Members for their consideration in late autumn or early winter this year.
Ms Kirby has also confirmed local authority plans to increase car parking spaces in the town to over 3,000 by late 2023.
An additional 85 public parking spaces will be provided at the Waterpark campus in Drumbiggle subject to Part VIII planning approval being secured in late summer 2023.
Planning permission also has been granted for the allocation of a further 129 permanent spaces at the Cloister Carpark, which currently offers 70 parking spaces.
While, planning has been granted for the provision of 156 temporary spaces at the site of the former Boys National School.
