Clare County Council’s decision to refuse permission for a retail store on a vacant Ennis site has been appealed.
The local authority had previously rejected plans for a new convenience store on the Limerick Road citing public safety and footfall issues for businesses in the town centre.
Upon reaching the decision in May, Clare County Council argued that a new convenience retail unit at Heather Hill House on the Limerick Road would create a public safety issue by virtue of a traffic hazard and the store would act as a significant counter attraction for business in the town centre.
Objections to the proposed development had been lodged by one local retail business and residents living directly opposite to the site.
In her appeal to An Coimisúin Pleanála, however, the applicant Breda Connors has argued the council failed to use the further information process or consider the potential economic benefits of the development and that no technical evidence has been submitted to warrant a refusal on road safety grounds.
If approved, the development would see three vacant units amalgamated to serve as a convenience store with an alcohol sales area.
The appeals board now has 18 weeks to reach a decision.
