Re: Re: shannon new town, co. clare
Developer says retail park will create 250 new jobs (Limerick Leader)
By Mike Dwane
LOCAL developer Sean Halpin is urging Clare County Council to give the green light to a major retail development at Smithstown, Shannon, that will create 250 full-time jobs upon completion.
Mr Halpin’s Greenband Developments also propose to create 180 jobs during construction, while another 200 jobs could be created indirectly if the €60m investment is approved.
The Limerick Leader reported in February that councillors backed an amendment to the South Clare development plan relating to the phasing of development of Shannon Town.
Shannon county councillor Gerry Flynn said back then that when the phasing provision had been originally introduced it was in the interests of orderly development, but its effect had been to curtail development of the town away from the existing town centre / Skycourt.
Despite reservations from some councillors that the council could expose itself to possible legal action, councillors voted in favour of the amendment, according to Cllr Flynn “in the interests of local job creation”.
Greenband now expects to lodge a planning application this week and Mr Halpin said the project next to the Oakwood Arms, “could not come at a better time” for the local economy.
“We have every confidence in this project and from an economic point of view it will have an enormous benefit on the local community.
“The retail park and neighbourhood centre will create 250 full-time jobs, 200 indirect jobs and 180 jobs during construction. In the current economic environment this would be a major boost to the area, not least given the severe impact of the downturn in Shannon and south-east Clare in general,” said Mr Halpin.
Two anchor tenants will occupy the retail park, with one already secured subject to planning permission and talks with another retailer “at an advanced stage”.
A discount foodstore and neighbourhood centre to include a small convenience store, pharmacy, bookmakers and hairdressers will also be contained in this week’s application. A second phase, comprising a residential development, is to follow.
I can’t see this proposal to be beneficial for the development of Shannon’s Town Centre at this time, see Masterplan above.
