An Ennis Councillor believes new plans for a development on Francis Street are a better alternative to leaving the site derelict for a number of years.
A full meeting of Clare Councillors is to vote on proposals next month to install a temporary car park at a site near glór and erect permanent office space thereafter.
Elected representatives voted by a margin of 4 to 3 this week to install a car park for a period of four years at the site under the Ennis 2040 plan.
Those not in favour of the move insist a development planned for the Abbey Street car park site should be amended with spaces there used instead of Francis Street.
However, those for the development insist it will provide temporary relief to businesses to allow shoppers to park in the town ahead of progress on initiatives such as the Ennis town bus route.
Barefield-based Independent Councillor Ann Norton believes Francis Street and Abbey Street should be considered as two separate developments rather than in the round.
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Another representative who voted against the plans this week is calling for what he believes would be ‘common sense to prevail’ on the proposals.
Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn believes the plans as they stand are ‘a waste of public money’.
Meanwhile, a director within the local authority insists developing the Francis Street site in the short term is making the best of its use.
Clare County Council’s Director of Physical Development and of the Ennis Municipal District, Carmel Kirby, says handing over the site to the Ennis 2040 company to develop it was always the medium term aim.
