Scores of new homes could soon be coming on to the market in Clare through the renovation of vacant commercial buildings. New figures show Clare County Council granted 52 change use of applications since 2018, which have the potential to yield up to 107 new houses. According to the Department, 31% of all applications related to former shops, 23% to offices and 14% to former pubs. Ennis Chamber President and Auctioneer Diarmuid McMahon believes that while this planning relief is no solution to the housing crisis, the uptake is still disappointing.