News Release -
Minister Killeen announces start of construction work on Ireland’s first E-Town in Miltown Malbay Co. Clare
Shannon Development invests €4 million in Miltown Malbay E-Town
Speaking at a function to mark the start of construction work on Ireland’s first E-Town development in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Tony Killeen TD., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said, “I want to congratulate Shannon Development on this initiative, which represents a €4 million investment by them in Miltown Malbay. The town was selected by Shannon Development as the demonstrator location for its first E-Towns project, working with Clare County Council and the local Miltown Malbay community, through the iBrickane Network, Shannon Development has brought the project to the stage where we are today celebrating construction being underway on the E-Towns ‘Courtyard’ in Miltown Malbay.”
“In developing E-Towns we are setting out to create infrastructure ahead of demand. We have developed a new model for enhancing enterprise development in the smaller communities in the Shannon Region. The primary aim of this pioneering approach is to enable people to achieve a Live/Work balance in tailor-made accommodation, create clusters of businesses and bring new economic activity back into local communities”, said Kevin Thompstone, chief executive, Shannon Development.
The Shannon Development designed E-Towns project incorporates physical development, as well facilitating town planning, Broadband access and community based animation and training to help create an alternative enterprise culture in each community. In Miltown Malbay 12 member of the community completed a 6-month course in Web Authoring and as Community Trainers. This now ensures that the Community can play a real and active part in all technology aspects of the project.
In addition to the Miltown Malbay E-Town, Shannon Development is also working with 3 other designated E-Towns locations –Tarbert in Co. Kerry, Cappamore, Co. Limerick and Newport, Co. Tipperary, all of which were selected in consultation with the local authority in each county. Shannon Development is also appraising future potential locations for similar projects, and anticipates that there will be further significant investment in additional E-Towns around the Shannon Region.
“As a regional development company – Shannon Development’s role is to ensure that all parts of the region are developed to their optimal potential. Over the years we have developed products tailored to the needs of specific towns and communities”, said Mr. Thompstone.
The ‘Courtyard’ E-Town development in Miltown Malbay has been designed by a team which includes Nolan Ryan Partnership, Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors; Murray O'Laoire Architects; Buro Happold, Services Engineers; and National Building Agency, Structural Civil Engineers. Construction work on the Miltown Malbay E-Town is being undertaken on behalf of Shannon Development by local building contractor Terrence O’ Brien of O’ Brien Builders and Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd from Miltown Malbay.
At Miltown Malbay it will consist of a 240,000 sq. ft. development of a 2.2 acre site. Twelve residential homes along with individual workspace units are being constructed on the site. House areas will range in size from 1,291 sq. ft. to 1,484 sq. ft. with a mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses. Each house is being fitted to the highest specification. Purchasers of the residential units have the option to either incorporate the workspace unit within their home, or acquire a work space unit detached from their private residence.
The work units will range in size from 380 sq. ft. to 834 sq. ft. Prices range from €250,000 for the 3 bed terrace house, which includes study, separate living room, large kitchen and balcony area with work space from €75,000 exclusive of VAT. The detached 4 bedroom house starts from €275,000 and includes a large garden area. Work space attached to this house is available from €75,000 plus VAT. All designed to aesthetically complement the existing townscapes. DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald is the ‘Selling Agent’ for the development.
Construction work on the Miltown Malbay development is expected to be complete by the end of 2007.
“With the ever increasing urban headache caused by constant traffic congestion, E-Towns provide a perfect solution for people who may want to live and run their business in a stress free environment. The Live/Work development is being targeted at established micro businesses in the traded services sector – businesses such as graphic design; consultancy, web design, publishing and professional services. Here in Miltown Malbay it has the potential to create up to 50 new jobs as well as a range of spin-off benefits for the local community. It also has the potential to deliver a further 150 jobs as it is rolled out around the Shannon Region.” said Mr. Thompstone.
At the start of construction work on Ireland’s first E-Town in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, a Shannon Development initiative are (L-r) Tony Killeen TD., Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Kevin Thompstone, chief executive Shannon Development.
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