Section 179A Notice for the construction of Causeway Quarter apartment units at Francis Street

Notice of Intention to undertake Development by a Local Authority under Section 179A of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended)

In accordance with the provisions of Section 179A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) Clare County Council gives notice of its intention to carry out the following development:

Construction of 39 no. Apartments and Associated Site Works including Roadways, Parking and Amenity Areas at Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

• Note that the 3D images are for illustrative purposes only and shouldn't be taken as an exact representation of what will be built.
• The intention is to sell affordable homes in the scheme to qualified applicants.

Breakdown of proposed units is as follows:

39 no. Apartments - 6 x 1-bed 2-person, 10 x 2-bed 4-person, 19 x 2-bed 4-person Duplex Apartments & 4x 3-bed 5-person apartments.

• The project is approved for funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and forms a key part of Clare County Councils Housing Strategy to deliver new build homes in Ennis.
  
  
• An Archaeological Impact Assessment desk study was carried out which concluded that there indicated no known recorded archaeological monument within the Study Area it was considered that the proposed construction of housing on the site will have no limited Archaeological impact. The preliminary report of test trenching completed by Archaeology & Built Heritage indicates no Archaeological remains on the site.
  
  
• An AA Screening Report has been prepared, which showed that no significant environmental impact is likely on any Natura 2000 site, its conservation objectives and integrity either separately or in combination with other developments. The proposed development will be connected to Irish Water public water, storm water drainage and wastewater infrastructure. The Local Authority, as the competent authority, considers that there is no requirement for an Appropriate Assessment as other than best practice design no specific ecological mitigation measures are necessary.

• An Environmental Impact Assessment Screening has been prepared which on examination of the nature, size and location of the proposed development has determined that there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development. It is therefore concluded that an EIAR is not required.
  
  
• Irish Water has provided confirmation that water and wastewater connections are feasible for the site. A formal connection application will be submitted to Irish Water in due course.
  
  
• A Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment has been prepared in which the site of the proposed development has been screened, scoped and assessed for flood risk in accordance with flood risk guidelines. The assessment and analysis undertaken as part of this Site-Specific Flood Risk Assessment indicates that the site of proposed development is not susceptible to predictive, indicative, historic or anecdotal fluvial, pluvial or groundwater flooding. It is recommended that the development as proposed incorporates an appropriate storm-water management system which limits post development storm-water runoff from the site to predevelopment greenfield runoff rates.

Plans and particulars of the proposed development, to include copies of the EIA and AA screenings and determinations, will be available for inspection and/or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours from the Housing Department, Social Development Directorate, Clare County Council, Aras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare from:

• Housing Reception from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays)
• Main Reception from 1 pm to 5 pm Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and Bank Holidays)

A person may question the validity of any decision of the planning authority by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986), in accordance with sections 50 and 50A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.

It is proposed to commence the housing development not earlier than eight weeks from the date of this notice.

Dated the 21st day of December 2023

Anne Haugh
Director of Services
Housing Section
Clare County Council