As part of its ongoing E-Towns development strategy Shannon Development, the regional economic development company for the Shannon Region, has this week (Monday 29th October ‘07) lodged a planning application for full planning permission for the development of 8 live/work houses on a 1.3 acre site on the Ferry Road in Tarbert, Co. Kerry.

Shannon Development’s application for planning permission, which if successful, will allow construction work on the €2m project to commence early next year. 

“We are delighted to have brought Tarbert E-Town project to this stage and we very appreciative of the support of our partner, Tarbert Development Association. The primary aim of the project is to enable people to achieve a better “Work/Life” balance a small cluster of combined tailor-made living and working accommodation, and in so doing bring new economic activity back into the local community,” said Mr. Ogie Moran Shannon Development’s Regional Development Manager, North Kerry.

The development is being targeted at people who currently have long commutes to work each day and wish to set up a business and could easily work from home. It would ideally suit micro businesses in the traded services sector, or businesses such as graphic design, consultancy, web design, publishing and professional services. It is also ideal for people who have already set up a business from home but find their current home is no longer suitable for their growing business needs.

Tarbert E-Town would provide residential homes along with individual workspace units built in a courtyard style. House areas would range in size with a mix of detached and semi-detached houses. Each house would be fitted to the highest specification. Purchasers of the residential units would have the option to either incorporating the workspace unit within their home, or acquiring a work space unit detached from their private residence. 

“We hope that Tarbert will become Ireland’s second E-Towns location. Last year we undertook our pilot E-Towns project in Miltown Malbay in Co. Clare. Construction work on these 12 tailor designed live/work premises is due for completion shortly. By getting entrepreneurs to locate in Tarbert, we hope to offer them a better quality of life and generate a range of spin-off benefits for the local community,” said Mr. Moran.

In addition to the Miltown Malbay and Tarbert E-Towns, Shannon Development is working on rolling the E-Towns concept out in other rural location around the Shannon Region.