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 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy County Clare also benefits from an excellent local bus service. TFI Local Link Limerick Clare and private operators provide an extensive service which is available to everyone and plays a particularly important role in sustaining rural communities by providing links between large urban areas and smaller settlements and rural areas. The Council fully supports these services and will seek to facilitate expanded services throughout the lifetime of this Plan. The Council will also work with the National Transport Authority on the Connecting Ireland – Rural Mobility Plan for County Clare. Services that provide connections to regional and national public transport services will be particularly encouraged. Clare County Council have carried out a feasibility study of a bus service from Clarecastle to the Gort Road Business Park in Ennis, serving Clare Road, Clon Road, New Road, Steele’s Terrace and the Gort Road. The feasibility study showed that there is sufficient demand to make a bus service within the Ennis area feasible. Having regard to this study, Clare County Council will support the provision of such a bus service. Development Plan Objective: Bus Transport CDP 11.8 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the provision of more regular, efficient and fully accessible bus services throughout the county, including through initiatives arising from the NTA’s Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan; b) To support the implementation of public bus network enhancements in the South Clare area through BusConnects Limerick; c) To encourage and support TFI Local Link Limerick Clare private/public/ community partnerships in the provision of a more widespread rural bus services; d) To support the creation of bus priority measures, integrated bus interchange stations and bus parking facilities both within settlements and at tourist facilities throughout the county subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the outcome of the planning process; e) To promote the introduction of new bus services on routes where they can offer a direct alternative to the routes most popular with private car users; f) To work with all relevant stakeholders to provide new bus pick-up/drop-off locations and bus shelters in towns and villages across the county; g) To work with stakeholders to encourage and promote a sustainable community-based public transport scheme that will enable access to service centres for all members of the community in the county;247
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy h) To support the provision of a local bus service in Ennis and Clarecastle; and, i) To support direct inter-regional bus services to and from Shannon International Airport, Limerick and Galway. 11.2.7 Transport Assets and Multi-Modal Travel Integration In order to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector, to increase the usage of public transport and to increase its viability as an alternative to the private car for a greater number of users, it is vital that there is greater integration of public transport services. This integration should include both national transport providers and community-based services. Ennis as Clare’s County Town is an important origin and destination for trips around the county and to and from the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and the Galway Metropolitan Area. It is intended that Ennis will function as a bus and rail connecting hub for the county and surrounding areas. The planning and design of transport infrastructure and services within the LSMA will take account of the demand for travel to and from Ennis and the objectives for the town as set out in Ennis 2040 An Economic and Spatial Strategy. Development Plan Objective: Transport Assets and Multi-Modal Travel Integration CDP 11.9 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support accessibility to transport services and the integration of transport services throughout the county, with the wider Region, along the Atlantic Economic Corridor and Galway – Ennis – Shannon - Limerick (GESL) Economic Network, and between the Metropolitan Areas in order to create a more efficient transport network that meets the needs of a wide range of users, and which supports the use of sustainable travel choices; b) To ensure that the enhancement of existing land transport networks is based on robust feasibility, route selection, environmental assessment and planning processes that reduce impacts on the environment; c) To work with stakeholder agencies and government departments to ensure the effective management, maintenance and expansion of the strategic land transport networks; d) To develop Ennis as a bus and rail connecting hub for the County and surrounding areas; and, e) To incorporate considerations of the impact of climate change on transport planning including proposals under the Minor Works Programme.248
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy 11.2.8 EV and CNG Infrastructure and Smart Mobility A shift to more sustainable means of road freight and logistics transport, including EV and low emission fuels, is necessary to decarbonise transport. The Government’s Climate Action Plan aims to develop the EV charging network necessary to support the growth of electric vehicles (EV’s) to a target of 936,000 by 2030 and sets a target for the supply of infrastructure to stay sufficiently ahead of demand. It sets out its intention to develop and implement planning policies and guidelines across residential and non-residential parking locations for EV charging infrastructure. All new development proposals will need to comply with these national requirements in terms of EV charge provision and the requirements as set out in Appendix 1 (Volume 1) of this plan. National policy promotes the exploration of renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen as alternative fuel sources for medium and heavy-duty trucks. The development of CNG infrastructure will enable fuel switching from diesel to CNG for heavy goods vehicles. This will lead to a reduction in carbon emissions together with air quality benefits for vehicles currently using diesel. Initiatives such as Gas Networks Ireland’s ‘Causeway Project’ aim to increase awareness of CNG as an alternative vehicle fuel source and to install a network of CNG refuelling stations aligned with the Trans European Transport Network corridors across the Country. The Causeway Project supports the National Policy Framework: Alternative Fuel Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland. Autonomous (self-driving) vehicles are capable of sensing their environment and of moving safely with little or no human input. Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) is a not-for-profit organisation that was founded with the purpose of creating and delivering a future mobility ecosystem and test bed for stimulating research, development, and innovation in the area of Mobility as a Service (MaaS). Focus areas include Smart City infrastructure, Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) for both road and air usage, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, big data management and analytics. The test bed is located in County Clare at the Shannon Free Zone.249
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Figure 11.1 CNG Refuelling Stations and CNG Injection Facilities in Ireland Source (Gas Networks Ireland) Development Plan Objective: EV and CNG Infrastructure and Smart Mobility CDP 11.10 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support investment in the sustainable development of Electric Vehicle charging facilities aligned with the county's transportation networks; b) To support investment in the sustainable development of CNG refueling stations aligned with the Trans European Transport Network corridors as a renewable technology for servicing public service vehicles and commercial fleets; c) To require the inclusion of electric vehicle charging point infrastructure within residential, commercial and mixed-use developments in accordance with the standards set out in Appendix 1 Development Management Guidelines; and, d) To support and facilitate the development of the Future Mobility Campus at Shannon and to seek investment in actions250
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy and initiatives that position County Clare and the wider Southern Region as a leader in the digital transformation of transportation, E-Mobility and sustainable mobility. 11.2.9 Road Network The road network in the county is made up of a motorway, national primary roads, national secondary roads, regional and local roads. County Clare has a large rural area with a dispersed population with the result that the car is the predominant mode of transport. The maintenance and upgrade of the existing road network and, where necessary, the provision of new road networks or realignments are essential to maximise connectivity into the future. 11.2.9.1 Motorway, National Roads and Strategic Inter-Urban Roads These roads play a strategic role in inter-urban and inter-regional transport requirements and underpin economic success and competitiveness by providing faster, more efficient and safer access to and from ports, airports, cities and major towns. They also play a pivotal role in providing ready access to all parts of County Clare. Development Plan Objective: Motorways, National Roads and Strategic Inter-Urban Roads CDP 11.11 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To safeguard the motorway, national roads and strategic regional inter-urban road connections between cities, settlements, ports and airports, and their associated road junctions, in line with national policy; b) To protect the study area, route corridor options and thereafter the preferred route corridor selected for the national road schemes being progressed in the development plan and to prohibit development that could prejudice their future delivery; c) To support the upgrade and improvement of motorways, national roads and strategic regional inter-urban road connections and their associated junctions, subject to compliance with requirements of the Habitats Directive and in compliance with the environmental requirements of Objectives CDP 11.17 and CDP 3.3; d) To advocate for and support improved road connectivity and, in particular, to advocate for • The Limerick Northern Distributor Route (LNDR) connecting the N18 to M7; • A new interchange on the M18 at Quin Road Ennis; • An upgrade of the Ennis to Kilrush N68 National Secondary Route;251
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy • An upgrade/extension of the N19 to Shannon International Airport; • Provision of a new bridge crossing at N67/N85 Blakes Corner Ennistymon; and, • The N85 Kilnamona Road Improvement Scheme. e) To sustainably maintain, support and enhance Clare's connectivity on the Trans European Transport Network; f) To ensure that the national road network drainage regimes in County Clare are safeguarded for national road drainage purposes. 11.2.9.2 Motorway Service and Rest Areas Motorway service and rest areas are essential for driver safety and to ensure the availability of services and amenities for drivers. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has identified a need for an on-line Motorway Service Area on the M18 at a location between Junctions 7 (Sixmilebridge/Hurlers’ Cross) and Junction 12 (Ennis). They have identified a need for a Type 1 Service Area (full service area) at this location. Section 2.8 of the DECLG Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines (2012) provides guidance regarding off-line or roadside service facilities on non-motorway national roads and at or near their junctions. Any such facilities that are proposed within the county will only be favourably considered where it can be proven through a strong evidence-based approach that there is adequate junction capacity and that there will be no negative impact on the mainline traffic flow. Development Plan Objective: Motorway Service and Rest Areas CDP 11.12 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To collaborate with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to secure the development of an on-line Type 1 Service Area on the M18 between Junction 7 and Junction 12 during the lifetime of this Plan, having regard to the NRA Service Area Policy (2014) and Spatial Planning and Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012. 11.2.9.3 Access onto National Roads In order to retain the safety, efficiency and carrying capacity of national primary and secondary roads within the county, development proposals involving access onto national roads will be assessed by the Council having regard to Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012).252
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Lands adjoining National Roads to which Speed Limits of Greater than 60kmh apply The policy of the Planning Authority will be to avoid the creation of any additional access points from new developments or the generation of increased traffic from existing accesses onto national roads where speed limits greater than 60kmh apply in accordance with Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012), subject to the exceptional circumstances as set out below. This provision applies to all categories of development, including individual houses in rural areas, regardless of the housing circumstances of the applicant. Transitional Zones On sections of national road on the approaches to or exits from urban centres that are subject to a speed limit of 60kmh before a lower 50kmh limit is encountered – otherwise known as transitional zones – a limited level of direct access will be permitted to facilitate orderly urban development. Any proposal for such an access must be subject to a road safety audit in accordance with TII requirements and a proliferation of such entrances, which would lead to a diminution in the role of such zones, must be avoided. Lands adjoining National Roads within 50kmh Speed Limits In these areas the Planning Authority will consider access onto national roads in accordance with normal road safety, traffic management and urban design criteria for built up areas. Exceptional Circumstances Developments of National and Regional Strategic Importance A less restrictive approach may be adopted in the case of developments of national and regional strategic importance which, by their nature, are most appropriately located outside urban areas and where the locations concerned have specific characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the development proposed. In considering whether such exceptional circumstances arise, the Planning Authority will take the following matters into account: • The relevance and appropriateness of the proposed development in supporting the aims and objectives of the NPF and the RSES; • The requirements of other planning guidelines issued under Section 28 of the Act; • The nature of the proposed development and the volume of traffic that will be generated by it; • Any implications for the safety, capacity and efficient operation of national roads; • Any plans for future upgrades of national roads and other transport infrastructure/services; • The suitability of the location compared to alternative locations;253
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy • The pattern of existing development in the area; • Satisfactory details of the proposed demand management measures; • Acceptable funding and delivery proposals for any road improvements required; and, • The precedent that would be created for cumulative development in the area and the potential implications for the national road network. Clare County Council has identified five locations where exceptional circumstances allow for exceptions to the general policy to be considered for developments of strategic importance, as follows: • Moneypoint Power Station – provision of alternative sources of energy supply; • Former Whelan’s Quarry site at Fountain Cross, Ennis – use as quarry; rehabilitation of site for outdoor activity/adventure park; • Hotel and Golf Links, Doonbeg – intensification of existing uses; • Central Waste Management Facility, Ballyduffbeg, Inagh – renewable energy project, waste transfer and recovery facility, eco-park; and, • N19 National Road between Shannon Town Roundabout and Knockbeg Point. The applicant/developer will be responsible for all costs associated with any road upgrades and/or junction improvements required to facilitate a development proposal seeking to avail of an exception referred to above. All upgrade proposals are to conform to road safety and design standards as set out in the relevant TII publications. Demand management measures shall accompany relevant planning applications to include mobility management/travel planning to address future trip management/travel planning and, where appropriate, visitor trips to the site. Temporary access requirements for renewable energy developments are required to adhere to the road safety and design standards set out in TII publications and to include appropriate traffic management measures. Lightly-trafficked Sections of National Secondary Routes A less restrictive approach will be applied to lightly-trafficked sections of National Secondary roads where a balance needs to be struck between the important transport function of such roads and the social and economic development of the areas through which they pass. In consultation with TII and based on the criteria set out in Section 2.6 of Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2012), the following sections of National Secondary road have been identified as areas where this less restrictive approach will apply: • N67 Ballyvaughan to Lisdoonvarna; • N67 short section between the junction with the R483 and the junction with the R484; • N67 Doonbeg to Kilkee; and, • N67 Kilrush to Killimer.254
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy The areas listed above are also identified in Volume 2 Maps of this plan. In these areas the Council will give consideration to developments requiring direct access onto national secondary roads for persons wishing to build a dwelling house for their own permanent residence on family land where the following is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority: • There are no alternative sites available with access off a regional or local road; • The development will not undermine the strategic transport function of the national road network, will not result in the premature obsolescence of the network, and where applicable will not compromise the carrying capacity at adjacent road junctions; • The location of the proposed access is at a point on the National Road Network where there are no plans for future upgrades; • All safety issues and considerations are adequately addressed in accordance with TII Publications; • The development fully complies with the objectives set out in Chapter 4 of this plan – Urban and Rural Settlement Strategy; • There is a genuine need for the dwelling proposed; and, • The proposed development would not create an undesirable precedent for further development in the area. The Planning Authority will develop and agree with TII a monitoring and recording regime related to planning permissions granted in accordance with the above provisions. Development Plan Objective: Direct Access onto National Roads CDP 11.13 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To safeguard the safety, efficiency and carrying capacity of national primary and secondary roads, including associated national road junctions, within the county in line with national policy; b) To restrict individual accesses, and the intensification of existing access, onto national roads in order to protect the substantial investment in the national road network, to improve carrying capacity, efficiency and safety, and to prevent the premature obsolescence of the network; c) To assess development proposals requiring direct access onto the national road network having regard to the criteria set out in Section 11.2.9.3; and, d) To subject any proposals for greenways, new routes and trails to screening for appropriate assessment and an ecological impact assessment where appropriate to ensure that the design and operation of the proposal is in full compliance with the EU Habitats Directive.255
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy 11.2.9.4 Strategic Regional Roads Regional roads provide an important function in linking smaller towns and villages with the larger urban centres and with national primary and secondary routes. Where investment in a new regional road is proposed, in particular bypasses and relief roads, road space within the settlement served by the road shall be reallocated appropriately to sustainable modes, as a prerequisite to investment. Developments requiring access onto key regional routes must be restricted in order to protect the capacity and safety of such routes. There are several regional roads which have been selected by the Council as strategic routes that act as feeder routes based on the volumes of traffic that they carry on a daily basis. The Council will protect the identified strategic regional roads from a proliferation of access points and will ensure that their key function is retained. Table 11.2 Strategic Regional Roads Strategic Regional Roads Location R352 Ennis – Tuamgraney R462 Sixmilebridge to Setright’s Cross R463 Limerick – Killaloe – Tuamgraney R465 Barry’s Cross to Broadford settlement boundary R469 Ennis to Quin R471 Cloverhill – Sixmilebridge R476 Fountain Cross – Kilfenora R478 Lahinch to Lisdoonvarna Development Plan Objective: Development of Strategic Regional Roads CDP 11.14 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To seek funding for the delivery of and to upgrade and improve, where necessary, the Regional roads in the county as outlined in Table 11.2 and Table 11.3. The Council will have regard to national, regional and local transport plans and the Council’s own programme of works in this regard. b) To preserve the carrying capacity of strategic Regional roads and safeguard the investment in such infrastructure. Developments requiring direct access onto the strategic Regional roads identified in Table 11.2 will be restricted to the following categories: i. Developments of strategic importance which, by their nature, are most appropriately located in a rural area;256
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.