Area Council Meetings: Replies to Notices of Motion September 20^th 2007

With reference to Notice of Motion no 7, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

I request that Clare County Council carry out some infill tree planting where necessary on each side of the North Access Road to Shannon Aerospace and to compliment the Council staff on the most pleasing scheme of existing mature trees and plants on that road that is frequently commented on by both visitors and locals alike

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council will arrange for the planting of Alder trees where necessary to fill in any gaps in the tree line on the North Access Road in Shannon. Spraying shall also be arranged along this road to eliminate the spread of Japaneese Knotweed, which has appeared in front of Shannon Aerospace

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Area Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 8, submitted by Cllr. T. Mulcahy, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

That this council convene a meeting of all interested parties to outline our proposed developments off the southern primary route. (St Camins, St Patricks, St Conaires, St Aidans, etc the Parish Council, Religious groups, Community Groups, and any other relevant bodies to allow them plan for the future expansion of their facilities if necessary and if be required land to be set aside to facilitate this where appropriate prior to the start of developments in this area.  Development contributions must also be set aside and ring fenced to provide for the above in Shannon

I wish to reply as follows:-

The Members will be aware that a detailed Masterplan was repared for the land serviced by the Shannon Southern Primary Road.  A consultation process was undertaken at the time of preparation of the Plan.

The Masterplan provides an overall framework for the area and is not considered prescriptive and may be subject to variation in light of demands at a particular time.  The development of the entire land is likely to take some considerable time and, depending on market demand, could be from 10 to 20 years. Shannon Development has recently offered for sale lands adjacent to the Cul na Greine scheme (4.2 acres) for development.

I can arrange for a copy of the Masterplan to be forwarded to any interested parties and arrange for a copy of same to be placed on display at the Civic Offices and the Sean Lemass library.

With regard to development contributions, such contributions will be payable in the normal way in respect of any developments taking place under the Plan.  These contributions are collected on a County wide basis and form a fund to finance projects which are eligible for funding from development contributions.

Development contributions are not ring fenced for any particular location but are used to fund eligible projects as they arise.

Yours sincerely,
Gerard Dollard,
Director of Services,
Environment & Emergency Services Directorate and
Shannon Town Manager.

With reference to Notice of Motion no 9, submitted by Cllr. S. McLoughlin, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

To request Clare County Council to fill in the culvert opposite Fergus Rd and erect NO DUMPING sign ASAP

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council is currently filling in this culvert and will erect a “NO Dumping” sign at this location shortly.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Area Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 10 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007 

That Clare County Council put in place a maintenance program to deal with the shrubbery and trees in the Shannon area.

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council is spending a significant amount of money this year in relation to tree felling and maintenance in Shannon in response to representations from elected members and residents in the town. Programmes of work are compiled, prioritised and undertaken on an annual basis based on these representations and following inspections by a qualified tree surgeon. A large amount of progress has been made recently in relation to tree maintenance and has been well received by the public. In relation to the shrubbery maintenance a programme of work shall be drawn up immediately and undertaken over the coming months.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Area Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 11, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

I wish to enquire whether the Council received a submission from Aer Rianta in November 2002 during the preparation of the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan of 2003 in which the Councils attention was drawn to the fact that the Red zones were shown incorrectly on that Plan and whether the Council was also requested in the said submission to reposition each of these Red Zones around the four ends of the two runways at Shannon Airport in accordance with long established technical practice.  I now wish to enquire whether these red zones were repositioned, based on the expert advice received from Aer Rianta, or whether they are shown incorrectly in the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan of 2003 and also demand that a copy of the said Aer Rianta submission be attached to the reply to this Notice of motion

I wish to reply as follows:-

I write to confirm that the department did receive correspondence date the 13^th August 2002 from the Department of Transport, in connection with the implementation of the proposed Public Safety Zones around Shannon Airport. (A copy of the said letter Annexure A refers. The said letter was issued in response to a meeting held on the 4^th July 2002. I have no further correspondence in respect of this item from Aer Rianta or the Department of Transport.

I am unable to comment on the positioning of such red zones, and believe that the zones indicated on the current Development Plan are in accordance with the information provided by the said Directorate.

Yours sincerely,
John Bradley
Acting Senior Planner

With reference to Notice of Motion no 12 submitted by Cllr. G. Flynn, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

That Clare County council do an assessment of all the footpaths in Shannon Town with the intention of putting in place a proposal to upgrade the many outstanding footpaths that need to be upgraded

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council is committed to maintaining and upgrading footpaths in Shannon town.  A substantial amount of money is been spent on footpaths in Shannon this year in response to representations from elected members and members of the public.  Footpath improvement works are currently underway in the Cronan estate, Tullyvarraga Court estate, along Bóthar Mor, along the N19 at Drumgeely and from the Dún Aras estate to the Ballycasey Manor estate. Further footpath improvement works are planned to take place along the Gort road and in front of the Lisin estate over the next few months.  A list of footpath improvement works is compiled annually by the Area Engineer, as finance becomes available. Priority is given to improvement schemes where there is high pedestrian usage or where there is a risk of a trip or fall occurring.

Yours sincerely,
Michael Healy
Executive Engineer
Shannon Area Office

With reference to Notice of Motion no 13, submitted by Cllr. P. McMahon, for the Shannon Electoral Area Committee Meeting, on 20^th September, 2007

Due to the large amount of enquiries for local authority housing in Newmarket on Fergus I will ask Clare County Council what is the up to date position

I wish to reply as follows:-

Clare County Council does not own any land in Newmarket-on-Fergus and has been examining the option for the provision of suitable lands.  As a result of advertising such need, one landowner came forward with an option of a small site, which could accommodate up to 5 houses.  Having valued the site, it transpired that the asking price exceeded the valuation and for this reason, the Council did not pursue this option. 

Following a further advertisement for the provision of turnkey developments for social and affordable housing, Clare County Council received one enquiry from a developer.  However, although no proposal has yet been received, it is hoped that a proposal would be made for approx. 20 houses. 

I will update you further on receipt of any proposal.

Yours sincerely,
Nora Kaye,
Senior Executive Officer,
Housing & Social Policies