The company formed by Clare County Council with the intention of attracting investment into Ennis is to be retained with a revised remit concerning a smaller number of sites.
The local authority has confirmed that following an independent review, Ennis 2040 DAC’s focus will be shifted to four key development projects, including the site of the former Boys National School.
The independent strategic review commissioned by Clare County Council Chief Executive Gordon Daly and carried out by Shannon International Development Consultants has concluded there’s a “strong business case to retain the DAC with the revised remit”.
Under the review’s recommendations, the company will focus on four projects, two of which are the former Boys National School site and Ashfield House.
In conjunction with Clare County Council, the DAC will seek to deliver the proposed housing development at Francis Street and activate housing lands at Claureen.
The Council has confirmed that €6.2 million of the €10 million loan approved by elected members has been drawn down to date.
It says this will be repaid “when the property assets purchased with the loan are activated” and has clarified that expenditure of €2.6 million on the now-cancelled Abbey Street Carpark, Harvey’s Quay Car Park and Post Office Field projects wasn’t part of the loan.
