An Bord Pleanala will today make its decision on whether a planned major retail development on the outskirts of Ennis will get the green light.
The project’s backers say it would have created up 500 jobs, but the project has been opposed by local businesses who say it would take trade away from Ennis town centre.
In January, Ennis Town Council refused Michael Lynch Ltd. permission to construct a major retail unit, with Tesco as the main tenant, as well as offices and a public library for the town at a site on the Clare Road opposite St. Flannan’s College.
The overall cost was slated at 34-million euro, with 300 positions coming on stream during construction and a further 200 created once open.
The local authority said the application was compliant with the town’s development plan, but was ‘premature’ pending upgrade of the waste water treatment plant at Clareabbey and pending the implementation of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme.
The Council’s decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanala, who will make their decision today.
Among submissions received by the planning appeals authority is one from Ennis Chamber of Commerce, who say similar developments in other towns nationwide have led to a drop in trade and significant job losses in town centres.
