A decision on controversial proposals to construct a 34 million euro retail park on the fringes of Ennis is due to be made today.
Local businesses are staunchly opposed to the move fearing it will decimate existing trade in the town centre while the developers behind the project insist it will stem the haemorrhaging of retail business to Limerick and generate employment.
Lodged with Ennis Town Council just over a year ago – the plans by Michael Lynch Ltd outlines proposals for a major retail unit on a site opposite Saint Flannan’s College on the Clare Road – with Tesco as the main tenant, as well as offices and a public library for the town.
The company says the plan will create 300 construction jobs and up to 200 permanent jobs when operational.
However many existing business in Ennis are staunchly opposed to the development and over half a dozen objections have been lodged with the local authority from both traders and local residents.
They include submissions from RGDATA- which represents independent retails which says Ennis has more than 70 vacant retail units, a figure disputed by the developer, Michael Lynch.
Ennis Chamber meanwhile said the proposals was likely to cause significant damage to the economic health and well-being of Clare’s County Town.
However Michael Lynch insists the development will help sustain local jobs and prevent trade from being lost to Limerick.
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