Plans to construct over 50 homes and a crèche in Ennis have been refused by An Bord Pleanála.
It’s after two separate applications to build on lands North and West of a retirement village in the county town were appealed.
The developer in both cases, Leadlane Drumbiggle LTD first lodged plans to build 58 homes on a 2.4 hectare site, west of Pairc Na Coille Retirement Village.
The plans involved a mixture of four, three and two-bed units and were given the green light by Clare County Council subject to 27 conditions the following March.
But just a month later, four local residents appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála.
The appeals were largely centred on the grounds of firstly, a proposed pedestrian and cycle access to the adjoining Willsgrove Estate resulting in the potential for anti-social behaviour and heavy traffic, that the height of the homes would injure the visual amenity of the area, while concerns were also raised over the potential impacts to horseshoe bats and badgers in the area.
Although the inspector assigned to the case by An Bord Pleanála recommended granting permission subject to 23 conditions, An Bord Pleanála ruled to refuse on the grounds that the site in question, is zoned as a strategic reserve under the county development plan and shouldn’t be considered for housing until at least April 2027.
A separate application for 56 homes and a crèche on lands North of Pairc Na Coille was also refused by An Bord Pleanála this week, upholding a decision made by the local authority last year.