Clare County Council is being urged to address public uncertainty over a new housing development in Ennistymon.
It comes amid mouting concerns that a planned retirement village will instead be repurposed for social housing.
In 2019, the local authority first granted permission for the Old Convent in Ennistymon to be refurbished as a 30 apartment unit retirement village.
A condition of the planning at the time, was that all 30 units would become retirement homes.
In late February, however, a new developer secured permission to change the use to residential, with the council also seeking an agreement in relation to the provision of social and affordable housing.
Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty claims there’s serious concern locally as past social housing projects in the town have been poorly managed.
Clare County Council says it’s yet to receive any offer from the developer to provide social housing at the Old Convent site, but has confirmed that 135 households in the Ennistymon, Inagh and Lahinch areas are on a waiting list.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District and Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery believes it’s a completely unsuitable location, would increase anti-social behaviour and negatively impact the character of the town.
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