Supermacs Secures Planning for Controversial Freeway Plaza Outside Ennis

Supermacs has obtained planning permission for a € 10 million Barack Obama-style motorway plaza on the outskirts of Ennis, next to the M18 motorway.

The Clare County Council permit for development in Kilbreckan, Doora, just outside Ennis, is the latest twist in the long planning saga that has been going on for just under five years.

The fast food business submitted its first plan in January 2016 for a freeway plaza outside Ennis and the Council has now granted planning to the third planning request for the plaza despite opposition from several local businesses. from Ennis to the plan.

Fake letters

An earlier application was clouded by controversy, after it emerged in 2018 that false letters of support were submitted to the Council.

At the time, Supermacs stated that it was ‘horrified’ to learn of the false letters from the media “and is unaware of the actions taken and wants to completely distance itself from them.”

Pat McDonagh, CEO of Supermacs, said he was “delighted” with the council’s decision and that a freeway service area is needed. “There is nothing on that highway between Limerick and Tuam. Something is going to happen somewhere and it will be a great loss to Ennis if they don’t get one there.

“I think it will be very good for Clare and Ennis and good for the employment in that area,” he said.

McDonagh said the plan will provide about 100 jobs.

A group objection from five local companies, which are all members of the Ennis House of Home, claimed that the excessive scale of the proposal “will act as a backlash” for Ennis and Clarecastle and “will have a detrimental impact on vitality and viability. of those centers ”.

Third parties have the option to appeal the council’s decision to An Bord Pleanala and McDonagh said he did not know whether the decision will be appealed.