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 ii. Developments located within settlement boundaries and residential clusters and where the 50kmph speed limit applies; and, iii. Rural dwellings which meet the following criteria - I. It must be clearly demonstrated that there is no reasonable alternative site with access off a minor road available; II. The development complies with the objectives as set out in Chapter 4 Urban and Rural Settlement Strategy; III. Full achievement of the sightline requirements for regional roads as set out in Appendix 1 Development Management Guidelines; IV. The development does not undermine the strategic transport function of the strategic regional road network and where applicable does not compromise the carrying capacity at adjacent road junctions; and, V. The development/enhancement of the regional road network is in compliance with the environmental requirements of Objectives CDP 11.17 and CDP 3.3. 11.2.9.5 Relief/Distributor Roads The Council will seek to provide relief roads where necessary in towns and villages throughout the county as resources permit. Such roads will divert heavy volumes of traffic away from the core areas of towns and villages and will have regard to the need for access and road safety. The provision of such roads can also facilitate the organised expansion of towns and villages and have the capacity to cater for pedestrians and cyclists. No new residential access points shall be permitted on the route of the proposed Limerick Northern Distributor Road and the Killaloe Bypass when constructed. Table 11.3 Proposed Projects Identified for Future Development • Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) – Knockalisheen to Shannon River Crossing – and university link road to the University of Limerick Clare Campus; • Western Bypass of Killaloe and River Shannon Bridge crossing south of Killaloe; • N67, N85 Road Improvement Scheme, Ennistymon; • Upgrade/extension of N19 to Shannon International Airport; • Realignment of sections of N85 Ennis–Ennistymon road; • Kilkee lower ring road linking the N67 at Kilkee Bay Hotel, running west to the Carrigaholt road, linking with the coast road; • Sixmilebridge Inner Relief Road;257
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy • Relief Road from N68 Ennis Road at Kilrush to the N67 Killimer Road at Kilrush; • Relief Road running to the north of the village of Corofin running from the Kilnaboy road to the Gort Road; • Relief Road from N67 northeast of Lahinch to the N67 south of Lahinch; • Road realignment on the N68 at Caherea; • Bypass south of Ennistymon linking the N85 to the N67; • Relief Road from N67 south of Miltown Malbay to the N67 northwest of the town; • New routes southeast of Shannon linking Bóthar na Luachra with Slí an tSionnaigh and Bóthar na Lóiste; and, • N67 Ballyvaughan to Lisdoonvarna Rd – works to facilitate the development of a footpath and cycleway. Ennis and Environs Area: • Northern Inner Relief Road - linking the Gort Road (R458) to the Tulla Road (R351); • Link from Lahinch Road (N85) to Drumcliff Road (L4182); • Link from Drumcliff Road (L4182) to Gort Road (R458); • Link from Clon Road (R871) to Quin Road (R469); • Arterial Road from Skehanagh Roundabout (N85) to Quin Road (R469); and, • New interchange M18 Quin Road Ennis. Development Plan Objective: Proposed Projects identified for Future Development CDP 11.15 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To integrate climate considerations and risk assessments into the design, planning and construction of all roads, footpaths, bridges, public realm and other construction projects and, where appropriate, to incorporate green infrastructure as a mechanism for carbon offset; b) To provide and/or facilitate the projects identified in Table 11.3 where necessary, and to ensure that such road infrastructure is designed and constructed to fulfil its intended purpose and to promote and support active travel; c) To ensure that the relevant mitigation measures contained in Volume 10 of this plan associated with the projects identified in Table 11.3 are strictly adhered to; d) Where investment in a new regional road is proposed, in particular bypasses and relief roads, road space within the258
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy settlement served by the road shall be reallocated appropriately to sustainable modes, as a prerequisite to investment; e) To progress the delivery of the LNDR; f) That no new residential access points shall be permitted on the route of the proposed Limerick Northern Distributor Road and the Killaloe Bypass when constructed. g) To ensure that the design of the proposed Limerick Northern Distributor Road, as it intersects the R464 in Parteen, is included within an overall masterplan for the village and provides for safe and adequate means of pedestrian and vehicular access and connectivity east and westwards within Parteen and across the route at this point; h) To ensure that results from a detailed hydrological, hydrogeological and engineering assessment inform the design of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road and University Link Road to avoid any adverse effect on the existing hydrological and hydrogeological regime within the Knockalisheen Marsh area. The design of the River Shannon Bridge shall be informed by the overriding requirement to avoid adverse impacts on the qualifying interests of alluvial woodland otter and lamprey species when assessed under the Habitats Directive; i) To ensure that the bridge abutments are set back a sufficient distance to allow for the retention of any existing riparian habitats or areas with the potential to develop into alluvial woodland. This will ensure maintenance of ecological connectivity on both banks for the River Shannon. The bridge deck shall be constructed at a sufficient height to allow for the continued development of any alluvial woodland present on both banks of the River Shannon such there will be no net loss of habitat; j) To ensure that the Tailrace Canal, Errina Canal and River Blackwater are all crossed on clear span structures, with the abutments sufficiently set back from the watercourse banks to ensure maintenance of ecological connectivity; k) To ensure that the necessary ecological assessment of the design of these bridges will be informed and supported by a detailed review and assessment of similar developments in comparably sensitive environments; l) To ensure that all watercourse crossings, both culverts and bridges are designed so as to not impede the flood conveyance through the structure and not cause any significant change in flood levels, flow depths and velocities that would result in any noticeable increase in flood risk or259
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy erosion/accretion locally in the vicinity of the crossing or more remotely both in the upstream or downstream reaches; m) To ensure that the proposed road is set at a minimum level that provides sufficient freeboard above the 100 year with climate change flood event (200 year combined tide event in respect of the Knockalisheen area) so as to have a low flood risk over its design life and sufficiently elevated for its storm drainage system to function appropriately during flood events; n) To ensure that the construction of the bridges is monitored by a suitably qualified ecologist, and that appropriate mitigation will be employed to avoid risks of pollution during both the construction and operational phases; o) To work with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to promote and develop sustainable visitor management initiatives to service the Burren National Park; p) To ensure that all mitigation measures set out in the NIR and SEA contained in Volumes 10(a) and 10(b) of this Plan are complied with; and, q) To ensure Inland Fisheries Ireland are consulted at early design stage and that compliance with Inland Fisheries Ireland Guidelines on the Protection of Fisheries During Construction Works in and Adjacent to Water (2016) or any subsequent updated versions is ensured. Development Plan Objective: Regional and Local Road Developments CDP 11.16 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To achieve and maintain investment in the sustainable development of strategic priorities in regional and local roads subject to required appraisal, planning and environmental assessment processes; and, b) To support and facilitate the following projects: • Killaloe Bypass/R494 upgrade; • R471 access to Shannon Free Zone; and • L3126 to Bunratty Castle.260
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Environmental Considerations in Road Construction Projects CDP 11.17 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To ensure that, for all major road construction projects, the route selection process will be informed by a constraints study, significant criteria for which will be environmental considerations in compliance with Objective CDP 3.3 of this plan, in addition to compliance with best practice guidelines from the Inland Fisheries Ireland, TII and relevant Government Departments. 11.2.10 Urban Roads and Streets The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) applies to streets and roads with a speed limit of 60 km/h or less and sets out a series of requirements, recommendations, and actions to ensure that streets and roads are safe, attractive and comfortable for all users. It requires professionals of different disciplines to work together to achieve better street design ensuring that the design must (a) be influenced by the type of place in which the street is located and (b) balance the needs of all users. Development Plan Objective: Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads CDP 11.18 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To implement the requirements and recommendations contained in DMURS in the assessment of development proposals, the preparation of design schemes and their implementation in the development of streets, roads and public realm improvement schemes in the county; and, b) To implement the requirements and recommendations contained in TII Publications Standard DN-GEO-03084 ‘The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads’ in the assessment of development proposals, the preparation of design schemes and their implementation in the development of streets, roads and public realm improvement schemes where applicable. 11.2.11 Shannon International Airport Connectivity to and from Shannon International Airport is essential to ensure that the airport can continue to grow and make a significant contribution to the local, regional and national economy in the future. With regard to the international connectivity from Shannon International Airport, technological advances are being made to enhance the sustainability of261
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy the aviation industry with new aircrafts being 70% more fuel efficient than 40 years ago and 75% quieter compared to 30 years ago. Road connectivity to the airport is currently provided via the N19 National Road, which provides a link to the motorway network. The Council will support the upgrade of the N19 National Road during the lifetime of this plan. Public transport links to the airport are also important to ensure the growth in passenger numbers using the airport. Clare County Council will support the further integration of airport services with both public and private bus services in the future. See Section 6.7 Economic Development in Shannon, Chapter 6, for further information and detailed objectives for Shannon International Airport. Public Safety Zones Red Zones and Public Safety Zones (PSZs) are designated for Shannon International Airport and are located at the ends and approaches to the runway to provide for the safety of aircraft and people on the ground. In the assessment of planning applications in the vicinity of Shannon International Airport, Clare County Council will have regard to the Red Zones and PSZs identified for the airport. Development Plan Objective: Shannon International Airport CDP 11.19 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the development of an Airport Strategy for the Southern Region to be prepared by the relevant stakeholders through consultation with the Department of Transport, Local Authorities, Airport Authorities, TII, the NTA and other relevant stakeholders in the Southern Region; b) To facilitate and support the development and enhancement of the strategic role of Shannon International Airport, to advocate for a regional distribution of air traffic and strategic route development, and for a greater regional focus by national agencies; c) To support actions which will progress the transition of Shannon International Airport to a low carbon future; d) To facilitate and support the further development of the Aviation Cluster at Shannon as recognised in National Aviation Policy and to work to ensure that cross agency cooperation will continue to develop the cluster to meet industry demand; e) To support and facilitate multi-modal inter-regional and intra-regional transport linkages to and from the airport by262
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy both public and private service providers, with bus transport as the primary sustainable mode of transport; f) To safeguard current and future operational, safety, technical and development requirements of Shannon International Airport; g) To support and facilitate the upgrade of the Shannon Flood Relief Embankments to protect Shannon town, Shannon Free Zone and Industrial Estate, and Shannon International Airport; h) To have regard to, and implement, the national land use policies and guidance in relation to the Red Zones and Public Safety Zones for Shannon International Airport, the Irish Aviation Authority (Obstacles to aircraft in flight) Order, 2005 (S.I. No. 215/2005) and EASA Regulation (EU) No 139/2014; i) To have regard to the advice of the Irish Aviation Authority with regard to the effects of any development proposals in the vicinity of Shannon International Airport on the safety of aircraft or the safe and efficient navigation thereof; j) To have regard to the Irish Aviation Authority Policy Land Use Planning and Offshore Development (2015) in the assessment of relevant development proposals; and, k) To ensure that all proposals are in compliance with objective CDP 3.3 of this plan. 11.2.12 Public Rights of Way Public rights of way constitute an important amenity and an economic and social asset. They enable enjoyment of the county’s high-quality landscape and are important for tourism development, recreation, and engagement with the county’s cultural heritage. In accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, Appendix 6 of this plan contains a list and maps of the public rights of way in County Clare that give access to seashore, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other place of natural beauty or recreational activity. Any consideration of public right of way extinguishments will have regard to RPO 152 of the RSES. Development Plan Objective: Public Rights of Way CDP 11.20 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To encourage the preservation of the existing public rights of way within the county, as set out in Appendix 6. 11.2.13 Coastal and Estuarine Transportation The water transport of goods and passengers between County Clare and the Aran Islands as well as between County Clare and County Kerry is well established. The operation of the263
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Killimer-Tarbert ferry service is an important resource for West Clare, providing a key economic and tourist link from County Kerry to the tourist routes along the west coast of County Clare. It is also important to both the Wild Atlantic Way and Shannon Estuary Way. The ferry service operating from Doolin to the Aran Islands is also a key transport service which has been greatly enhanced by the development of a new pier at Doolin. Funding has been secured by the Council through the Governments Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) to progress the design and planning stage of the Doolin Pier Masterplan which will include a visitor services building, additional parking facilities and improved connectivity between the village and the pier. The Shannon Estuary is a major international shipping hub. The activities that take place in the Shannon Estuary, both current and future, are considered in detail in Chapter 12 Shannon Estuary and Volume 9 Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary of this plan. Development Plan Objective: Water-Borne Transport CDP 11.21 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To safeguard and support the continued operation of the ferry services between West Clare and County Kerry and between North Clare and the Aran Islands. Only land use proposals that complement the sustainable operation of these services will be considered for the duration of this plan; b) To promote the establishment of a ferry or water taxi service between North Clare and Galway City; c) To support the provision of services and amenities for passengers in the vicinity of ferry departure/arrival points in the county; d) To support and facilitate the development and delivery of the Doolin Pier Masterplan during the lifetime of the plan; and, e) To ensure the development/enhancement of infrastructure facilitating water-borne transport is in compliance with the environmental requirements of objective CDP 3.3 of this plan. 11.2.14 Ports, Jetties, Harbours, Quays and Piers The Council acknowledges the importance of ports, jetties, harbours, quays and piers to the local economy as well as their role as recreational and amenity facilities. The importance of establishing new marine infrastructure is also recognised. The National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF) is Ireland’s first maritime spatial plan and sets out how we want to use, protect and enjoy our seas up to the year 2040 and beyond. It sits at the top of the hierarchy264
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy of plans and sectoral policies for the marine area and provides a coherent framework in which sectoral policies and objectives can be realised. It is a decision-making tool for regulatory authorities and policy makers in a number of ways, including for decisions on individual consent applications which will have to have regard to the provisions of the NMPF in the same way that the development plan and other terrestrial plans form part of the decision making toolkit for land based planning applications. See Section 13.12, Chapter 13 of this plan for further information and detailed objectives relating to Ports, Jetties, Harbours, Quays and Piers. Shannon Foynes Port Company Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), Ireland’s second largest port operation, has statutory jurisdiction over all marine activities on a 500km2 area on the Shannon Estuary stretching from Kerry to Loop Head to Limerick City. The company provides a variety of services, from controlling navigation and marine safety, to warehousing, logistics and cargo handling. SFPC handle some of the largest vessels entering Irish waters, up to 200,000 dead weight tonnes (DWT). It is a port of national and international significance and has set out its 30-year masterplan ‘Shannon Foynes Port Company Vision 2041’ which aims to double port throughput to 20m tonnes per annum over the plan period. In order to facilitate this growth, capacity enhancements are required within and external to the port, including: • Ongoing expansion of jetty infrastructure (€47m); • Reinstatement of Limerick to Foynes Rail line (€45m); • Upgrade of Limerick to Foynes road network (€450m); • New deep-water berth at Foynes Island (€175m). Development Plan Objective: Ports and Harbours CDP 11.22 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support and facilitate the sustainable implementation of the National Ports Policy and the National Marine Planning Framework in County Clare; b) To support and facilitate the development and economic role of strategic international, national, regional and local harbours, ports and jetties across the county; c) To support the export, fisheries, marine tourism and marine economy potential of port and harbour assets at Cahiracon, Kilrush and Moneypoint subject to the implementation of mitigation measures outlined in the SEA and AA undertaken on the SIFP; d) To improve land-based transport links to ports and harbours;265
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy e) To support the development of a RSES Regional Ports and Harbour Strategy for the Southern Region; and, f) To ensure that all proposals will be in compliance with the requirements of the Habitats Directive where appropriate. Development Plan Objective: Shannon Foynes Port CDP 11.23 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the continued expansion of Shannon Foynes Port in compliance with the environmental requirements of objective CDP 3.3 as it applies to County Clare; b) To support the capital infrastructure projects in the Shannon-Foynes Port Company Infrastructure Development Programme; and, c) To support Shannon Foynes Port Company Vision 2041 masterplan. 11.2.15 Freight While there has been significant investment in transport over the past 20 years, Ireland’s growing population together with the continued growth in tourism numbers and freight traffic will place further demands on transportation infrastructure. The transport sector will require a significant modal shift from private carbon-fuel-using vehicles to sustainable transport. This will require a similar shift to more sustainable means of freight and logistics transport, including rail. The RSES states that the decarbonisation of transport will also focus on alternative and low emission fuels for vehicles for freight, a modal shift of freight to rail transport and the increased electrification of freight transport. Development Plan Objective: Freight CDP 11.24 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the development of a RSES Regional Freight Strategy; b) To create an efficient freight network that operates in harmony with other transport users and land uses in the county; c) To encourage developments which are heavily dependent on road freight to locate where freight vehicles can access the national road network without the requirement to traverse urban areas; d) To support the use of the existing rail system and marine areas for the transport of appropriate materials where feasible; and,266
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.