Clare County Council claims it’s taking action on properties falling into disrepair in Ennis’s town centre.
It follows a call from the Mayor of Ennis for the local authority’s Planning Department to compel all premises in the area to maintain their shopfronts to “a good standard”.
At her final meeting as Cathaoirleach of Ennis Municipal District, Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard has called out businesses she claims are “damaging the appearance of our lovely town”.
She says while “the vast majority” of properties are being kept “attractive” and are “well maintained”, some are falling into “disrepair” with “rotting woodwork and neglected facades”.
To enforce a good standard across the board, she’s tabled a motion requesting the enforcement section of the council’s planning department step in.
Councillor Howard says dialogue with business owners is the best course of action but isn’t ruling out pushing for the use of the Derelict Sites Act and Compulsory Purchase Order.
Responding to Councillor Howard’s motion, Ennis Municipal District said it’s continuing to work with other departments to “promote, encourage and facilitate measures to improve the streetscape and appearance of the town”.
The Ennis Architectural Conservation Area Streetscape Enhancement Scheme 2026 makes up to €1000 available to business owners for painting, improvements to facades, and repairs of gutters and downpipes.
Ennis MD also says it’s served notices under the Derelict Sites Act on a number of properties “where action is not being taken by the owners”.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker-Bashua, who spoke in support of Councillor Howard’s motion, says some traders need to be given a nudge to, in her words, “make Ennis great again”.
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