Proposals for a large scale power plant near Shannon could move to the planning stage after members of Clare County Council voted to rezone an 80 acre tract of land at Stonehall, Newmarket on Fergus.
The move was strongly opposed by local residents and divided Shannon area Councillors, but following a heated debate in Ennis last evening, 17 members voted for the rezoning, while 12 were against.
Council planners expressed the hope that a newly zoned area for development could become a Carbon Free Zone for Clare which would lead the way in Green Technology and significantly boost local employment.
The meeting was also told that community concerns over the scale of a proposed power plant earmarked for Stonehall can be raised with the planning authorities if an application is made.
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