Development plan · Clare County Council
Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied)
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Clare County Council · 2023–2029 · 568 pages
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- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision webpage documenting the process of the preparation of the new plan was also launched on the Clare County Council website. The Council published an Issues Paper and a video to encourage public participation in the preparation of the new Clare County Development Plan 2022-2028 and to initiate public debate on the broad planning and development matters that should be included in the new development plan. Written submissions or observations were invited. In accordance with the requirements of Section 11 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended, the Chief Executive prepared a report on the outcome of the statutory consultation process which included his opinion on the issues raised in the submissions received and his recommendations on the policies to be included in the development plan. The Chief Executive’s Report was submitted to the Elected Members on 15th January 2021 for their consideration. This report listed the persons or bodies who made submissions or observations and summarised the issues raised in both the submissions and during the consultation process. The Chief Executive’s Report also set out his recommendations on the policies to be included in the new Clare County Development Plan 2022-2028. After considering the Chief Executive’s Report, the Elected Members issued directions to the Chief Executive regarding the preparation of the development plan. This process continued until the 25th of March 2021 pursuant to Section 11(4)(e) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. In July 2021 new legislation was enacted in response to disruption caused to the plan making process due to Covid-19 Pandemic restrictions. The legislation as set out in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and Section 11D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, enabled the Planning Authority to extend the duration of the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied) to provide for an additional period to review the development plan and to prepare a new development plan. In accordance with Section 9A(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the Elected Members of the Planning Authority approved, by resolution at a Special Council Meeting on 28th July 2021, to avail of the provisions of the new legislation and to initiate the process to extend the period, by up to 7 months, to review the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied) and to prepare a new development plan. The reason for the initiation of this process was due to the disruption resulting from restrictions introduced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic on the plan preparation process for the making of a new county development plan. Following a process to extend the duration of the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied) including a public consultation phase which commenced on the 1st of October 2021 in accordance with section 11D(3)(b) and 11D(4) and following consideration of the Chief Executive’s Report by the Elected Members, the decision to extend the duration of the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied) was made at the full Council Meeting held on the 8th November 2021. This allowed for an additional period of up to 7 months to review the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 (as varied) and to prepare a new Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029.7
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision The Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 was prepared having regard to the directions of the Elected Members. 1.3 Format and Content of the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 takes into account the National Planning Framework (NPF) and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region (RSES), planning guidelines, strategies and policy documents. It is also informed by specific national and global environmental issues that are accepted as being critical to the formulation and implementation of sustainable development. These include climate change, flooding, renewable and alternative energy. In addition, the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) and the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 has regard to other relevant local policy documents. The objectives contained in the county development plan complement the goals and aims of the Clare Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021, the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 and the Clare County Council Corporate Plan. Moreover, the development plan commits to equality, accessibility and gender proofing throughout the preparation of the plan, policy formation and its implementation. The format of the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 reflects the challenges and opportunities facing the county over the period of the plan as well as the specific and unique issues pertaining to land use and the socio-economic development of the county. The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 is the primary policy document for planning policy throughout the functional area of Clare County Council. The plan also contains settlement plans for all of the towns and villages in the county, with the exception of Shannon town. The Metropolitan Town of Shannon has its own dedicated local area plan, Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan 2012-2018 (as amended), which contains the zoning map for the town. A new Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan will be prepared for Shannon Town and Environs during the life of this plan. The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 consists of 10 volumes, as follows: Volume 1 - Written Statement This contains the written text and constitutes the main body of the document outlining the vision, core strategy and objectives for the different policy areas addressed by the development plan. The development plan contains the mandatory objectives as required by the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, as specified in Section 1.1.1 above.8
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision Volume 2 - Maps This volume contains all the large maps, on a county scale, referred to in Volume 1 and which give effect to the designations as contained in the written statement. Also contained in this volume are settlement flood maps for the towns and villages which are affected by flood risk as identified in the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment in Volume 10c. Volume 3 – Municipal District Written Statement and Maps This volume contains individual settlement plans and land use zoning details for each of the towns and villages in the municipal districts of the county as follows: Volume 3(a) – Ennis Municipal District. This volume of the plan comprises a suite of documents that include the following: Volume 3 (a)(i) – Ennis and Clarecastle Settlement Plan Volume 3 (a)(ii) – Ennis Municipal District Settlements Volume 3 (a)(iii) – Ennis 2040: Economic and Spatial Strategy Volume 3 (a)(iv) – Ennis Local Transport Plan Volume 3(b) – Shannon Municipal District, including the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area, Written Statement and Maps. Volume 3(c) – Killaloe Municipal District Written Statement and Maps. Volume 3(d) – West Clare Municipal District Written Statement and Maps. Volume 4 – Record of Protected Structures A Protected Structure is a structure that is considered to be of special interest from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social and technical point of view. Details of all Protected Structures in County Clare are entered in this Record of Protected Structures. Volume 5 – Clare Renewable Energy Strategy This volume outlines the renewable energy resource that is deliverable within County Clare including micro-renewable energy and energy storage.9
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision Volume 6 – Clare Wind Energy Strategy This volume comprises a detailed countywide Wind Energy Strategy, supplemented by maps which sets out Clare County Council’s strategy for informing wind energy development, having regard to economic, environmental and visual issues. Volume 7 – Clare Retail Strategy This volume comprises the Retail Strategy for County Clare, which is intended to provide a strategic county-wide approach to achieving a balance in retail development. Volume 8 – Clare Housing Strategy This volume comprises a Housing Strategy and Housing Need and Demand Assessment, prepared in accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Volume 9 – Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary This volume comprises the SIFP, an interjurisdictional land and marine-based framework to guide the future development and management of the Shannon Estuary.10
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision Volume 10 – Environmental Appraisal of the Plan This volume of the plan comprises a suite of environmental assessments, in full compliance with the requirement of the Habitats Directive, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Floods Directive as follows: Volume 10a Natura Impact Report Volume 10b(i) Strategic Environmental Assessment – Environmental Report Volume 10b(ii)Strategic Environmental Assessment – Non Technical Summary Volume 10b(iii) Strategic Environmental Assessment – SEA Statement Volume 10c Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 1.4 Profile of County Clare County Clare is situated on the West coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, covering an area of some 318,784 hectares (787,715 acres). It is bounded by the counties of Galway to the North, Tipperary to the East and Limerick to the South. Its natural boundaries comprise Galway Bay to the North, River Shannon and Lough Derg to the East and the Shannon Estuary to the South. The county has a diverse topography, varying from bare limestone pavement to estuarial mudflats and from high Atlantic cliffs to inland lakes and waterways. The county’s coastline is 360km in length. Much of the county has underlying limestone strata which are highly permeable. County Clare is noted for its agriculture, tourism and beautiful landscapes. It is home to the Burren National Park and is renowned for both its physical and cultural heritage. Ennis is the County Town and the administrative centre of County Clare. It is also designated as a Key Town in the National Planning Framework (NPF). Shannon is a large Metropolitan Town in the south of the county and is a major industrial and employment centre, not only for County Clare but for the region as a whole. Shannon, along with a portion of south east Clare, forms part of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area. In the remainder of the county, Kilrush, Ennistymon and Scarriff act as service centres for their surrounding hinterlands, supported by a network of other towns and villages.11
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision County Clare’s air, road and rail transport facilities are unique in the region. Shannon International Airport caters for almost 2 million passengers per annum providing flights directly to the UK, US and Europe, with worldwide connectivity. In 2009, the US Customs Pre- Clearance facility was opened, providing more efficient transfers to the US for passengers. The County is well served by strategic road access with the M18 motorway which bisects the county linking to Galway, Limerick and beyond. The Ennis Bypass (N85) allows traffic travel via National Secondary Routes. The Killaloe bypass and new bridge crossing and the Ennistymon new bridge crossing will greatly improve accessibility and quality of life in these towns and act as gateways to the East and West of the county. The Western Rail Corridor already provides for daily commuter rail transport between Ennis/Limerick and Dublin and to Athenry and Galway. The National Development Plan 2021-2030 provides funding over the next ten years to support the further development of a new Limerick commuter rail network including new stations on each of the historical rail lines and the provision of a rail link connecting Shannon with the Limerick commuter rail network, the detail of which is set out in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. Marine access and transport are provided for at Moneypoint, Killimer, Shannon International Airport and harbours along the Atlantic coastline. However, significant potential exists for greater accessibility using the deep waters of the Shannon Estuary. Commerce and trade are the greatest sources of employment in the county. Outside of the industrial/business, retail and administrative employment centres of Shannon, Ennis and Kilrush, tourism and agriculture are two of the primary industries in County Clare. The location of several higher education facilities within and near the county provides easy access to higher education and provides significant opportunity to enhance the knowledge economy in the county. The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 seeks to develop and improve the social, economic, cultural and environmental assets and quality of life of the county. In order to give effect to and a common understanding of the purpose and scope of the county development plan, it is critical to identify a common vision for County Clare. 1.5 A Vision for County Clare That County Clare would develop as a place to be part of and proud of, where urban and rural communities enjoy a high quality of life, work practice choice, inclusivity and service access and that the county is a dynamic, resilient, connected and internationally competitive location for innovation and investment and is a national leader in climate action, creativity, culture, heritage, tourism and environmental management. 1.6 Goals The following 20 chapters set out the planning policy framework within which the vision set out above will be realised by 2029. Each chapter identifies a key goal supported by strategic aims and objectives. It is through the delivery of these goals that this common vision for County Clare will be realised. The key goals for County Clare are:12
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision Goal I: A county that is resilient to climate change, plans for and adapts to climate change and flood risk, is the national leader in renewable energy generation, facilitates a low carbon future, supports energy efficiency and conservation and enables the decarbonisation of our lifestyles and economy. Goal II: A county that drives local and regional sustainable growth by harnessing the potential of its unique location, quality of life, natural resources and other competitive advantages. Goal III: A county with strong and balanced urban and rural areas providing key services and a good quality of life and where people with social or economic requirements to live in the countryside are accommodated. Goal IV: A county with high quality housing at appropriate locations throughout the county, ensuring the development of a range of house types, sizes and tenures to accommodate differing household needs, promoting sustainable communities, social integration and inclusion, and facilitating a sense of place. Goal V: A county in which jobs and people are brought together and where the sustainable growth of employment, indigenous enterprise and economic activity is pursued proactively across all economic sectors throughout the county. Goal VI: A county with viable and vibrant town and village centres, that have shopping areas and markets at appropriate scales and locations and which function to serve their communities and rural hinterlands. Goal VII: A county with diverse and strong rural communities and economy, where its natural resources are sustainably managed in a manner that is compatible with the sensitivity of rural areas and the existing quality of life. Goal VIII: A county in which tourism growth continues to play a major role in the future development of the county; a county which is the gateway to the West, delivering tourism experiences which reflect its strong commitment to sustainability, connectivity, innovation and new approaches to doing business; and a place that is globally recognised as a sustainable destination and where the benefits of tourism are spread across the county throughout the seasons. Goal IX: A county where healthy and sustainable communities are developed and integrated with the timely delivery of a wide range of community, educational and cultural facilities and where, through a commitment to equality, participation, accessibility and social inclusion, the county develops as a unique location with an enhanced quality of life for its citizens and visitors. Goal X: A county that supports strong economic growth and a high quality of life for all residents through the provision of efficient and robust physical infrastructure whilst having13
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision regard to environmental responsibilities and complying with European and National legislation. Goal XI: A county that builds on the strategic location and natural resources of the Shannon Estuary by facilitating and maximising its potential for various forms of development while managing the estuarine and natural environment in full compliance with all relevant EU Directives. Goal XII: A county that maximises and manages the economic, social and recreational potential of the Atlantic Coastline and Shannon Estuary while protecting the coastal zone and its resources and adapting to and managing the challenges of climate change including flooding and sea-level rise. Goal XIII: A county of ‘living landscapes’ where people live, work, recreate and visit while respecting, managing and taking pride in the unique landscape of the county. Goal XIV: A county that protects and enhances its unique natural heritage and biodiversity and recognises the potential for sustainable green infrastructure development, while promoting and developing its cultural, educational and eco-tourism potential in a sustainable manner. Goal XV: A county that affords protection and conservation to buildings, areas, structures, sites and features of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest and recognises them as a social, cultural and economic asset to the county. Goal XVI: A county with a strong and vibrant network of towns and villages that provide a wide range of services and a high quality of life for residents of the county. Goal XVII: A county that promotes buildings, urban spaces and public realm of the highest quality and ensures all development adheres to the principles of good design and contributes to the establishment of distinctive buildings and areas with a ‘sense of place’. Goal XVIII: A county where the overall strategic objectives of the county development plan are translated into settlement plans and local area plans containing detailed land use zonings and master-planning of neighbourhoods in an evidence-based, plan-led approach with a focus on ensuring a high quality of life. Goal XIX: A county that manages and monitors the county level implementation of the National Planning Framework, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, national plans and guidelines to ensure that quality of life, sustainability, climate action, resilience and inclusivity are the fundamental principles of the future sustainable development of the county. Goal XX: A county that plays a fundamental role in the transition from a linear to a circular economy, through being responsible for key policies in public services that affect citizens'14
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision wellbeing, economic growth and environmental quality, and by fostering the linkages to transition from linear model to a circular model which keeps resources in use for as long as possible. In addition to the above list of goals, outlined below are five Strategic County Outcomes which are entirely interrelated and which, in combination, can deliver the overall development plan Vision over the lifetime of the plan. Creation of a liveable, connected and compact county will in turn lead to a climate resilient sustainable county which will be inclusive and create opportunities for economic growth and a good quality of life. Table 1 Five Strategic Development Plan Principles Quality of Life Mental and physical health is affected by the environment in which we live. Access to sustainable transport, housing, quality places, green space and community infrastructure can have a significant influence on the quality of life, health and wellbeing of all. Sustainability The concept of sustainable development can be defined as “development which meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Sustainable development is one of the major challenges facing society. How and where we live, work and visit make demands on the earth’s resources. This plan adopts the principle of sustainability by promoting and encouraging the integration of economic, environmental, social and cultural considerations into policies and objectives to ensure that the needs of urban and rural communities are met. Any reference to development in this plan should be considered to refer to sustainable development. Climate Action It is recognised that the county development plan has a key role in supporting the delivery of meaningful action on climate change through the implementation of the National Planning Framework compact growth agenda at the local level. The integration of land-use and transportation and the sustainable management of environmental resources including biodiversity are critical. Climate action is thus an important strategic objective of the county development plan which is reflected by the introduction of a new stand-alone chapter relating to Climate Action (see Chapter 2) in addition to other climate action-related objectives which permeate the plan. The county development plan, in conjunction with the Clare County Council Climate Change Adaptation Strategy 2019-2024 in effect provides a framework for the transition towards a low carbon and more climate resilient county.15
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 1 | Introduction and Vision Resilience The Covid-19 Pandemic has most recently shown the importance of resilience and adaptability. Resilience is a principle that also underpins the plan and is described as “the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions” (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), 2009). It is built into the strategic policies and recommendations of each of the cross-cutting themes: quality of life, sustainability, climate action and inclusivity. Inclusivity Inclusivity affects the wellbeing of individuals, families, social groups and communities. Creating a more socially inclusive society by alleviating social exclusion, poverty and deprivation is a major challenge. Steps towards achieving a more socially inclusive society include the provision of good quality affordable housing, community infrastructure and improving access to information and resources. 1.7 The Role of Local Government and the County Development Plan The Local Government Act 2001, as amended, sets out the functions of local authorities. It recognises that one of the roles of a local authority is to provide a forum for the democratic representation of its citizens and to provide civic leadership for that community. Given the extensive public consultation afforded to the making of a development plan and that its adoption is a function of the Elected Members, it has been described as a ‘contract’ between the Council and the public. This plan is therefore an agreed blueprint for the economic, social, cultural and environmental development of County Clare. It provides the platform for Clare County Council to ascertain and communicate to other public authorities the views of its citizens, in relation to those functions performed by other authorities, which affect the interests of County Clare. 1.8 Proper Planning and Sustainable Development When making a development plan, the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, requires planning authorities to consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. While there is no definition of the term in the Act, for the purposes of this plan, proper planning and sustainable development is defined as ‘achieving the correct balance of economic, social, cultural and environmental considerations in the interests of the common good and securing long term benefits to County Clare’. 1.9 Monitoring and Progress A development plan must be able to respond to changing circumstances within its lifetime.16
Source Clare County Council: Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied) (2023–2029) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.