Council Doubles Down On Commitment To Identify Alternative Ennis Parking

Clare FM

Clare County Council is doubling down on its commitment to identify alternative car parking in Ennis before shovels enter the ground in Ennis's riverside car parks. It follows a call from Councillor Tom O'Callaghan for the Ennis 2040 DAC's plans to develop on the Abbey and Parnell Street Car Parks to be halted until a "meaningful and transparent consultation process" has taken place. As part of the Ennis 2040 plans, a multi-storey retail space with office accommodation is envisaged for the Abbey Street Car Park while a mixed-use developments consisting of 40 cost rental housing units and retail space is proposed for the Parnell Street Car Park. At the most recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has tabled a motion calling for the Abbey and Parnell developments to be halted "pending a meaningful and transparent consultatiomn process". The Clarecastle representative believes mistakes have been made and the majority of people in the county town are against the proposals. During a meeting between the Ennis 2040 board and local elected representatives in May, Clare County Council Chief Executive Officer Pat Dowling reassured it would be three years before works would begin on the proposed Abbey Street Development. The meeting also heard that the project won't commence until alternative parking is identified in the town, with talks underway regarding a potential multi-storey car park near the Temple Gate Hotel. A joint venture has also been agreed between Ennis 2040 and Clare GAA to provide a 200-space car park at the Cloister. Director of Economic Development with Clare County Council and Ennis 2040 Board Member, Carmel Kirby insists nothing will happen until "the public is satisfied" with what's proposed.