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 7 | Retail Comparison Goods (Bulky) 134 368 Total Retail Floorspace Potential 4,444 5,434 [6] Scariff Catchment Convenience Goods 1,192 1,385 Comparison Goods (Non-Bulky) 94 270 Comparison Goods (Bulky) -1,219 -1,155 Total Retail Floorspace Potential 66 500 [1]+[2]+[3]+[4]+[5]+[6] County Clare Total (excl. Limerick Catchment portion in Limerick) Convenience Goods 12,921 17,801 Comparison Goods (Non-Bulky) 11,073 22,971 Comparison Goods (Bulky) -697 3,912 Total County Retail Floorspace Potential 23,298 44,684 7.2.2 Retail Strategy for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and County Clare The RSES promotes a co-ordinated, co-operative, and collaborative approach between each of the Cities and Key Towns within the Region through the establishment of Metropolitan Area Strategic Plans (MASPs) including the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and the Key Town of Ennis. The key objectives are to support a town and village centre first approach in the context of the Retail Settlement Hierarchy, and to promote the vitality and viability of existing centres by focusing development within them and encouraging a wide range of services in a good environment which is accessible to all. Development Plan Objective: Retail Strategy CDP 7.1 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To work with the relevant local authorities to implement the Retail Strategy for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and County Clare in line with the Retail Planning Guidelines and the Regional Economic and Spatial Strategy for the Southern Region; and,157
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail b) To work with adjoining local authorities to prepare a Retail Strategy for the wider Region, if deemed necessary, during the lifetime of this plan. 7.3 Level and Form of Retail Activity In line with Retail Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012), the following section outlines retail locations in the county and sets out the key objectives for each area, having regard to the Core Strategy and the position of the settlement in the Settlement Hierarchy. Development Plan Objective: Retail Activity CDP 7.2 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To ensure that sufficient lands are appropriately zoned for retail development in each settlement of County Clare to support a level, quantum, and form of retail activity that is appropriate to the position of the settlement in the Settlement Hierarchy for the county; b) To have regard to the guidance set out in Retail Planning – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012) in the assessment of development proposals for retail development; c) To improve the physical appearance, vitality and vibrancy of town centre and village locations through collaboration with retail traders’ associations and other key stakeholders in regeneration/public realm projects and other measures; d) To ensure that retail development is focussed in town and village centres with the application of a sequential approach to consideration of retail development which does not fall into this category; and, e) To support the Clare Economic Taskforce to pursue further economic development opportunities for the county, recognising the clear beneficial relationship between towns and the surrounding rural areas. 7.3.1 Ennis Ennis is identified as a Key Town and the triangle of Limerick-Shannon-Ennis is recognised as the economic engine of the Mid-West. The RSES (RPO 13) looks to support economic, retail, commercial and residential development in the town and the maintenance and development of its public infrastructure. Ennis is the primary retail centre within County Clare and is positioned at the top of the Retail Settlement Hierarchy in Tier 2 Major Town Centres. As the County Town it is a traditional large town with shopping streets and public spaces containing a pleasant mix of cafes, bars, restaurants, specialty shops and fashion boutiques. The focus for Ennis is to reinvigorate the retail sector in the town and facilitate further retail growth whilst also retaining the historic character of the town centre.158
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail Figure 7.1 Retail Study Catchment Areas Figure 7.2 Demography within the Ennis Catchment Development Plan Objective: Ennis Town Centre Retail Offer CDP 7.3 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the improvement of retail accommodation in Ennis town centre in order to cater for modern retailers, whilst preserving the town’s attractive historic character;159
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail b) To facilitate the need for additional non-bulky comparison goods floorspace within the town centre, ensuring it is integrated into the existing shopping facilities; c) To harness the retail development potential of any appropriate opportunity/brownfield sites within or adjacent to the town centre; d) To maintain and expand the attractive network of independent fashion boutiques and other speciality shops in the town centre, which combined with the character of the town and its public spaces, creates a niche shopping experience for residents and tourists; e) To carefully consider qualitative factors in assessing the appropriate nature, scale and distribution of any future proposals for new retail development in Ennis town; and, f) To support the Ennis 2040 Designated Activity Company to deliver the Ennis 2040 strategic objectives and guiding principles. Development Plan Objective: Neighbourhood Centres in Ennis CDP 7.4 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To support the development of Neighbourhood Centres in identified areas to provide a mix of uses and services suited to the scale of the local neighbourhood. 7.3.2 Shannon Shannon, located midway between Limerick and Ennis, is situated between the catchment areas of the two largest shopping areas in the Region and is designated as a Metropolitan Town in the Retail Settlement Hierarchy. Shannon has many strengths as a retail destination in itself. It is within the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area, has a sizeable workforce and resident population and has an international airport and brand name. The Council has prepared the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan which will inform the forthcoming Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan. The aim for the town centre is to develop a distinct shopping character to increase Shannon’s attraction and to deliver a vibrant and viable town centre for Shannon with a range of quality retail and service facilities. Development Plan Objective: Shannon Town Centre CDP 7.5 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the continuing development of retail facilities in Shannon town centre in accordance with the Retail Strategy for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and160
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail County Clare, Shannon Town Centre Masterplan and the forthcoming Shannon Local Area Plan; and, b) To encourage the growth of retail floorspace so that the town centre can improve its quality of service to its local catchment area. 7.3.3 Service Towns The Service Towns in County Clare are designated as Tier 3 Level 2 Towns in the Retail Settlement Hierarchy. The primary function of Service Towns is the provision of convenience goods and everyday services. Some Service Towns such as Lahinch and Kilrush also benefit from their tourist and visitor function which allows them to support a wider range of comparison goods than would be justified by their local catchment population. The primary objective for these centres is to enhance the quality of their convenience goods provision, enabling the construction of modern food store outlets. Development Plan Objective: Service Towns CDP 7.6 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support Service Towns as important centres for the provision of convenience goods and retail services; and, b) To encourage the provision of good quality convenience outlets capable of supporting a main food-shopping trip. 7.3.4 Small Towns The Small Towns of Killaloe, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Newmarket-on-Fergus and Sixmilebridge are designated as Tier 4 Level 1 Towns in the Retail Settlement Hierarchy. The primary objective for Small Towns is to maintain and enhance the quality of their convenience goods provision, where necessary, by the construction of modern food store outlets which in turn will reduce the propensity for local shoppers to travel to larger supermarkets for weekly/monthly shopping trips. This will also result in sustainability benefits in terms of reducing the distance travelled to access retail services by providing improved facilities in these towns. Clare County Council will encourage the enhancement of retail services in established town centres, expanding the range of goods and services available for locals and tourists. Development Plan Objective: Small Towns CDP 7.7 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support Small Towns as important centres for the provision of convenience goods and retail services for the catchment population;161
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail b) To encourage the provision (where not already provided) of good quality convenience outlets capable of supporting a main food shopping trip in or on the edge of the town centre; and, c) To encourage the provision of tourist and visitororientated retail provision to capitalise on the central role that these towns play in the tourism industry in the county. 7.3.5 Large Villages The retail function of Large Village centres is to meet ‘top-up’ convenience shopping needs, i.e. those products which need to be replaced between main food shopping trips, and to provide local services. From a social and economic perspective, they are also important as they constitute a sustainable provision of retailing whilst also binding communities and social networks in rural areas. While it is unlikely that these centres will attract sufficient expenditure to support the largescale provision of retail or comparison goods, they remain an important focus of the community, and consequently their continued vitality and viability is strongly supported. The focus will be to ensure that existing retailers remain and, if required, new floor space is provided, either through the construction of additional units or the qualitative improvement of existing floor space, to enhance the level of services provided to local communities. Development Plan Objective: Large Villages CDP 7.8 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To encourage the retention of existing retail services and facilitate retail development within designated village centres, where it is appropriate to its location and catchment. 7.3.6 Small Villages Retail services in Small Villages generally consist of rural shops, petrol filling stations, creameries, post offices and similar type facilities. These services are focal points in the local community and are essential to maintaining a high quality of life in rural areas. For these reasons it is essential that they are enhanced and maintained during the lifetime of this plan. Due to the low population densities in Small Villages and their surrounding rural hinterland, these settlements generally cannot support extensive or large-scale retail facilities, nor would they be appropriate to the scale of the settlements. However, an increase in the range of services available in small villages will be supported in order to reduce the need to travel to large urban centres for daily essentials and to ensure on-going quality of life for rural residents.162
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail Development Plan Objective: Small Villages CDP 7.9 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To facilitate retail development in Small Villages where the nature and scale of the proposed development is appropriate to the location and catchment. 7.3.7 Retail Activity in Rural Areas Retail services in rural areas are most commonly provided in the villages and towns that service the rural hinterland. However certain retail activities can be dispersed throughout the rural area such as farm shops and tourism/craft-based home enterprises. Such retail services, particularly farm-based shops can serve a vital function in rural areas by helping to meet the demand for fresh produce and providing new sources of employment and services, thereby contributing to the diversity of economic activity in rural areas. Development Plan Objective: Retail Uses in Rural Areas CDP 7.10 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To consider proposals for the introduction of a retail use on a farm where it can be demonstrated that the scale and scope of retailing proposed is ancillary to the continued agricultural use of the farm and will not harm the vitality and viability of retail facilities in any nearby town or village. 7.4 Town and Village Centre Retailing 7.4.1 Improvement of Town and Village Centres Vibrant and attractive town and village centres are essential to sustain and attract further retail services in settlements across the county. In order to ensure that town and village centres are attractive spaces, public realm interventions may be required. The retail experience can be greatly enhanced through the provision of high-quality civic spaces. The Council has a key role to play in this area, both by directly carrying out works in town and village centres and by coordinating the work of relevant stakeholders. The Council recognise that the improvement of the public realm and collaboration with stakeholders including the local business community is key to the development of a Town Centre First approach in all towns and villages in the county. See Chapter 17 Towns and Villages and Chapter 18 Design and Placemaking for further information and detailed objectives relating to town and village centres and the public realm. 7.4.2 Diversity of Uses163
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail Maintaining the health of town and village centres requires diversity in the services on offer. Maintaining a wide variety of different functions in town and village centres is a key element in ensuring the on-going vitality of an area. This vitality is threatened by an over-concentration of one particular type of outlet. Development Plan Objective: Over-Concentration of Uses CDP 7.11 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To ensure that, in the interest of vitality and viability, development proposals result in a balance of services and outlets thus avoiding an over-concentration of a particular type of retail activity in a given area. 7.4.3 Improved Accessibility and Mobility It is essential that town centres across the county are accessible and accommodate all forms of transport, especially sustainable transport options. Accessibility is a measure of how people of all ages and abilities can use an area. Carpark locations, surface quality, pavement and building design can all contribute to the level of accessibility in a given area. Enhancing accessibility, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the amenities and services of town centre areas, is therefore essential. To reverse the trend of car dependency in town centres, and increase enjoyment of town centre areas, it is critical to enhance mobility. Efforts are needed to make town centres across the county more pedestrian and cycle-friendly to ensure that sustainable modes of travel are encouraged and supported. Development Plan Objective: Town Centre Accessibility and Mobility CDP 7.12 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To ensure that all new town centre developments, including developments relating to the enhancement of civic spaces and streetscapes, are based on the principles of universal access; and, b) To work to ensure that town and village centres are pedestrian-friendly, cycle-friendly and generally promote the safe use of sustainable modes of transport. 7.4.4 Retail Health Checks The Retail Planning Guidelines (2012) highlight how the concepts of vitality and viability are central in maintaining and enhancing town centres. The realisation of these essential qualities depends on a balance of many factors, including the range and degree of activities in a town centre, its mix of uses, its accessibility to people living and working in the area along with its general amenity, appearance, and safety. As the attainment and maintenance of town centre164
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail vitality and viability are crucial in attracting both retail businesses and consumers, an examination of the health of the county’s principal settlements is essential to inform proposals for improvement in the future. The process by which these qualities are assessed for a specific centre is known as a ‘health check’. Development Plan Objective: Retail Health Checks CDP 7.13 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To carry out retail health checks, as required, in accordance with Annex 2 of the Retail Planning Guidelines (2012). 7.4.5 Shop Fronts, Advertising and Signage High quality shop fronts greatly enhance the attractiveness of an area. The towns and villages of County Clare have a variety of traditional and contemporary shop fronts which reflect and complement the character of the settlements. These shop fronts make an important contribution to the character of the towns and villages across the county. Commercial businesses must have specific regard to the importance of quality design in terms of shop fronts, signage, and advertisements. Further details of the standards required in relation to signage and advertising is set out in Appendix 1 Development Management Guidelines of this plan. The Council will also build on previous initiatives such as shop front schemes during the lifetime of this plan as well as initiatives such as the streetscape and shopfront enhancement measures provided for under the Government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Development Plan Objective: Shop Fronts CDP 7.14 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To encourage the use of traditional shop front designs, materials and signs and to seek the repair and retention of shop fronts of architectural interest, where appropriate; and, b) To ensure that new shop fronts and the fronts of other commercial buildings: I. Display a unity with the building of which they are part, including the use of appropriate materials; II. Reflect the scale and proportion of existing shopfronts on the adjoining buildings and the street scene as a whole; and, III. Are of a format and design using appropriate colouring and lettering, which complement the visual amenities of the surrounding buildings and locality.165
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 7 | Retail 7.4.6 Evening and Late-Night Uses A healthy night-time economy contributes greatly to the vitality and viability of a town centre. There is a need to ensure that adequate provision is made for evening and late night activities such as restaurants, public houses, taxi offices, hot food takeaways and other similar uses. A vibrant night-time economy brings many benefits such as increased visitor numbers, providing passive surveillance, and increasing the appeal of a town as a destination for artistic and cultural events. Development Plan Objective: Evening and Late Night Uses CDP 7.15 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support proposals for development involving evening and late-night commercial, retail or entertainment uses within, or immediately adjacent to, the defined centres of towns or neighbourhood centres, where it can be demonstrated that the development will enhance the character and function of the area; and, b) To encourage the provision of limited on-site eating floorspace as part of hot food takeaway developments in order to assist in reducing disturbance and littering in public streets and places. 7.4.7 Leisure and Entertainment Leisure and entertainment facilities form an essential component of the mix of uses required to ensure town centre vibrancy and vitality. They make a particularly important contribution to retaining vibrancy outside of regular business hours. Development Plan Objective: Leisure and Entertainment Facilities CDP 7.16 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To consider proposals for the establishment of leisure or entertainment facilities within, or immediately adjacent to, town centres or other centres, where it can be clearly demonstrated that the development will enhance the character and function of the area including in respect of signage. 7.5 Other Forms of Retail 7.5.1 Edge-of-Centre and Out-of-Centre Retailing Edge-of-centre sites are located within easy walking distance (generally no more than 300- 400m) of the primary retail areas in the town whereas out-of-centre retail development is166
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.