The diocese of Killaloe is in line for an estimated €30 million windfall after members of Clare County Council last night gave the go-ahead for 85 acres of diocesan-owned land to be rezoned to become a new suburb of Ennis.
The lands at Ashline, to the west of Ennis, are to include the relocation of a primary school, Ennis National School, and the development of a new suburb with the potential for a population of 1,500 residents.
As part of the masterplan submitted by the diocese, it intends to build 590 homes; sheltered accommodation to be linked to Cahercalla community hospital; and the provision of the 45-teacher school with the capacity for 700 students.
The council anticipates that the diocesan plan will allow the development of a sustainable community in a phased manner over 20 years.
Last night councillors unanimously agreed to put the proposed rezoning plans on public display to allow submissions to be made.
A planner's report has concluded that no significant environmental impacts will result from the rezoning.
However, two councillors, Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) and Cllr Brian Meaney (Greens), have expressed reservations about relocating the school away from the town centre.
Cllr McCarthy has also expressed concern about the scale of the rezoning.
Local auctioneer Philip O'Reilly said last night that the rezoning would place a €30 million price on the property based on a cost of €55,000 per site.
A spokesman for the diocese confirmed yesterday that the diocese was asked by the council to draw up the tentative plan as part of the proposal to relocate Ennis National School.
The diocese originally lodged a submission with the council to rezone a small parcel of land for "community use" to allow the relocation of the school.
The spokesman said: "In order for the proposal to be evaluated, the council demanded a masterplan in relation to what would ultimately happen with all the lands owned by the diocese before deciding on the school issue."
Last night's vote was the latest step in a five-year campaign by Ennis National School to secure a new site.
Last year, when it appeared that the school would have to remain at its current site, school principal Gary Stack accused the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, of condemning the school to a "visionless future".
The row with the school was defused shortly after when the diocese agreed to provide the alternative site for Ennis National School at Ashline.
