Homeless hostel in Ennis given go-ahead

Clare County Council yesterday secured planning permission for the first homeless hostel in Ennis, Co Clare.

Ennis Town Council gave the plan the go-ahead in spite of local residents objecting to the proposal claiming it "will attract a significant anti-social element to the locality".

The €2.1 million plan to accommodate 13 people comes against the background of two homeless men dying on Ennis's streets in recent years. The need for a hostel was identified as far back as 1998 when St Vincent de Paul carried out a survey that showed over a one-year period, more than 200 people presented themselves to the Ennis cathedral presbytery stating homelessness as a particular issue.

Chairman of the county council's special policy committee for housing, Cllr Joe Arkins, last night said he was very pleased with the decision. "There is no air of triumphalism about this and we look forward to becoming a good neighbour in the community and living up to the promises that we have given."

However, any decision by local residents to appeal the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála would delay the project by up to six months.

Mr Arkins said he hoped those who did object would now accept the council's decision. "I would rather if they didn't appeal, but if they do decide to appeal - which is their right - we will take it on the chin and cross that hurdle."

The objection was lodged by Patrick Donnelly, Ann-Marie Donnelly, Helen Broderick and Christopher Walsh. In their objection, they claimed that the "development proposes to concentrate people likely to engage in anti-social behaviour and anti-social activity in proximity to a residential area".

"We are duty-bound to prevent any development that will bring such dysfunction close to our homes and families and we request planners in Ennis Town Council to have consideration for those of us who quietly live our lives, pay our taxes and do not seek handouts or assistance from the State.

"We do not cause any of the ills of society and we do not want them foisted upon us by others in a residential area."

They were accused by the council's consultant of distorting the facts in relation to the proposal which in turn provoked an angry response from them in a rebuttal submission to the council. They claimed the charge "has immeasurably damaged our confidence in the judgment and attitude of the applicants to their prospective 'neighbours'."

Granting permission, the town council said the proposal will not injure the amenity of nearby properties.