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
Ask this document
Answers come only from the text of Clare County Development Plan 2023–2029 (as varied), each claim linked to its page. They are not advice; check the page itself.
Free, with a daily limit.
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy e) To promote the use of low emission vehicles in the freight sector. 11.2.16 Directional Signage Directional signage is an essential component of transport infrastructure, ensuring that both visitors and residents of County Clare can conveniently and efficiently access settlements and services across the county. The Council will ensure that adequate directional signage is provided across the county and will seek to control the proliferation of non-road traffic signage. See Section 9.2.21 Tourism Signage and Appendix 1, Section A1.9 for further information and detailed objectives relating to signage. Development Plan Objective: Directional Signage CDP 11.25 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To ensure that adequate directional signage is provided throughout the county to facilitate convenient movement and access between settlements and services through the county; and, b) To control the proliferation of non-road traffic signage on and adjacent to national roads having regard to the DECLG’s Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities. 11.3 Water Resources Water covers 71% of the planet but only 1% is available to us as drinking water. We use this every day in our homes and businesses and water is a fundamental building block of life. Therefore, the quality of the water we use in our daily lives is of huge significance to our physical wellbeing and economic prosperity. The Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, seeks to integrate the development plan process and water management through the requirement for development plans to have regard to the water services strategic plan for the area and to support the protection and enhancement of water quality, and compliance with environmental standards and objectives regarding water quality. Clare County Council is responsible for the protection and management of all waters in the county and also has an important role to play in the protection, maintenance, and improvement of water quality through the planning and management of future development. 11.3.1 Water Framework Directive (WFD) The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) sets out the approach to the protection and enhancement of the country’s water resources. The WFD applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, estuaries and coastal waters and aims to improve water quality. Clare County Council, in the preparation of this development plan, must comply with the provision of the267
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy WFD and all other EU and National legislation and regulations in relation to water quality, waste management and the protection of habitats and species. 11.3.2 River Basin Management Plans The WFD requires Ireland to produce both national and local River Basin Management Plans (RBMP). River Basin Management Plans are key tools for the implementation of the WFD, key European legislation which requires our rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal water to achieve a healthy state, or what’s known as ‘good ecological status’. The National River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 outlines a programme of actions which aim to meet the environmental objectives and requirements of the WFD. The principal objectives of River Basin Management Plans include: • To prevent further deterioration in water quality; • To achieve the restoration of water bodies where they are currently at bad, poor or moderate status; • To protect/enhance all waters including surface, ground, coastal and transitional waters; • To manage water bodies based on river basins or catchments. The River Basin Management Plans propose a program of measures to achieve the objective of high or good water quality status. Development Plan Objective: Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management CDP 11.26 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To facilitate the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 and any subsequent plan for ground, surface, estuarine, coastal and transitional waters in the Plan area as part of the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive; b) To protect groundwater and surface water resources in accordance with the statutory requirements and specific measures as set out in the River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027, and any subsequent management plans; c) To achieve and maintain at least good water quality status for all water bodies except where more stringent obligations are required such as Blue Dot/High Status Objective Water Bodies; d) To consider development proposals where it can be clearly demonstrated that the development will meet the requirements of the River Basin Management Plan; and, e) To work with and support LAWPRO and support improvements/recommendations within Priority Areas for268
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Action, Blue Dot/High Status Objective catchments and any additional areas identified within subsequent River Basin Management Plans. 11.3.3 Water Resources Water resources are a key component of the natural environment. Water resources encompass a wide range of areas including drinking water, ground water, surface water, bathing water, shellfish waters, and freshwater pearl mussel waters, the management and protection of which are required under various relevant EU Directives. Unpolluted water resources are essential to human health, reliable water supply and the protection of habitats and species of importance in the county. County Clare’s drinking water supply is derived from natural resources. It is crucial that water sources are protected so that dependable, good quality water supplies can be provided. Groundwater is a naturally occurring resource and it supplies approximately 20% of drinking water in Ireland. It supplies water to industry and agriculture and sustains wetlands and river flows during dry spells. Groundwater is increasingly at risk from pollution, particularly so from human activity. The County Clare Groundwater Protection Scheme classifies the majority of Clare’s ground waters as having ‘Extreme Vulnerability’. The Groundwater Protection Scheme has been incorporated into the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland. Development Plan Objective: Water Resources CDP 11.27 It is an objective of the Clare County Council: a) To support the protection and improvement of the quality of drinking water sources in line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive; b) To ensure that developments that would have an unacceptable impact on water resources, including surface water and groundwater quality and quantity, designated sources protection areas, estuarine, coastal transitional waters, river corridors and associated wetlands will not be permitted; c) To ensure the efficient and sustainable use and development of water resources and water services infrastructure in order to manage and conserve water resources in a manner that supports a healthy society, economic development requirements and a cleaner environment; d) In areas of potable groundwater resources or over vulnerable aquifer areas, to consider development proposals only if the applicant can clearly demonstrate that269
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy the proposed development will not pose a risk to the quality of the underlying groundwater; e) To protect groundwater resources, in accordance with statutory requirements and specific measures as set out in the National River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027; f) To work with and support Uisce Éireann, the Group Water Scheme Sector and LAWPRO in identifying public drinking water sources vulnerable to climate change and develop source protection or alternative sources, in order to maintain water quantity and quality levels; g) To consider proposals for development which infringe on a river boundary, or an associated habitat, including their connection by groundwater, only where it can be clearly demonstrated that: • The character of the area will be conserved; • An acceptable physical riparian zone will be maintained; and, • There will be no deterioration of water body status; h) To work with Uisce Éireann to find a sustainable and long-term solution for the production, minimisation and beneficial reuse of water sludge as a by-product in order to minimise risk to human health and the environment. 11.3.4 Water Extraction from Lough Derg Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water)assumed responsibility for managing Ireland’s water and wastewater investment and maintenance programmes on the 1st of January 2014. Simultaneously, Uisce Éireann also took over the management of a New Water Supply Project for the midlands and east of the Country and project planning is being undertaken by Uisce Éireann in this regard. A carefully balanced approach needs to be achieved between meeting national priorities for water supply and addressing local concerns about the potential impacts of the proposed project. Clare County Council adopts the ‘precautionary principle’1 from both a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment2 (AA) perspective. The ‘precautionary principle’ in essence is about determining risk and taking preventative action in order to protect the environment. It is fundamental to SEA and AA and must be considered if potentially adverse environmental effects are identified through an evaluation of available scientific data or if there is sufficient scientific uncertainty. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/the-precautionary-principle.html 2http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/docs/art6/natura_2000_asses s_en.pdf270
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Strategic Water Supply Projects CDP 11.28 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support investment and the sustainable development of strategic water supply projects of Uisce Éireann and leakage reduction programmes and initiatives through the National Water Resources Plan, the Eastern and Midland Regional Water Resources Plan and subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process; b) To carefully scrutinise any proposals for the abstraction of water from Lough Derg, either for storage or direct supply outside the county which, due to geographical proximity, may have a significant impact on County Clare taking into account the impacts of climate change and in particular low flow conditions which are now prevalent across the county throughout the year; c) To ensure that any abstraction proposals are in compliance with the environmental requirements of objective CDP 3.3 of this plan, and, d) To carefully scrutinise any proposals for the abstraction of water from Lough Derg or the River Shannon which may have an impact on the proposed South Clare/University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone, an objective of which is the reopening of the Errina Canal. 11.4 Water and Wastewater Services The provision of a good quality water supply and effective wastewater disposal infrastructure are critical requirements for the future economic development, quality of life and sustainable growth of the county. The provision of adequate infrastructural capacity in areas of population growth, as identified in the Settlement Strategy, will allow for the plan-led future development of County Clare. The Council recognises that, in order to ensure land use policy is sustainable and for the development plan strategy to be realised, a coordinated and integrated approach to planning the provision of public utility services is crucial. Uisce Éireann has responsibility for the provision and management of water supply and wastewater services. Clare County Council, through a Service Level Agreement with Uisce Éireann, manages the daily operation of infrastructure and the progression of capital projects. However, Uisce Éireann has responsibility for project prioritisation and financial investment. The Uisce Éireann Capital Investment Plan 2020 - 2024 sets out the priority projects to the year 2024. Priorities must include investment to ensure acceptable service levels to existing customers, to achieve regulatory compliance and to cater for future growth. In addition, minor upgrades and improvement works are continually carried out on a nationally prioritised basis through Uisce Éireann’s National Programmes, for example capital maintenance and mains renewal programmes amongst others.271
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Water Services CDP 11.29 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To work closely with Uisce Éireann to identify and facilitate the timely delivery of the water services required to realise the development objectives of this plan; b) To facilitate the provision of integrated and sustainable water services through effective consultation with Uisce Éireann on the layout and design of water services in relation to the selection and planning of development areas and the preparation of masterplans; c) To ensure that adequate water services will be available to service development prior to the granting of planning permission and to require developers to consult Uisce Éireann regarding available capacity prior to applying for planning permission; and, d) To ensure that development proposals comply with Uisce Éireann’s standards and requirements in relation to water and wastewater infrastructure to facilitate the proposed development. 11.4.1 Water Supply Drinking water in the county is drawn from a variety of sources and Figure 11.2 demonstrates the Household Water Supply Sources in County Clare in 2016. Uisce Éireann is responsible for providing and maintaining adequate public water supply infrastructure throughout county Clare. There are also a number of group schemes operating in the county. Public group water schemes manage their own networks but are supplied with treated water by Uisce Éireann. Private group schemes manage their own networks but in addition have their own private source that they are responsible for managing. In areas that are unserviced by either a public water supply or a group water scheme, water supply comprises mainly of wells serving single dwellings. In the interest of safeguarding public health, the Council will restrict the boring of private wells for new developments in areas where a public water supply is available. Water sludge is a by-product of water treatment and sludge management is an important issue. In addition to the National Wastewater Sludge Management Plan for the management of sludge derived from wastewater treatment processes Uisce Éireann is also preparing a sludge management plan for drinking water plants. Clare County Council will work with Uisce Éireann to find sustainable and long-term solutions for the production, minimisation and beneficial reuse of water sludge. In general, there is sufficient water supply treatment capacity in the county to meet the needs of the target population identified in the Core Strategy. Many of the water treatment plants supply water to a number of settlements in a ’Water Supply Zone’ (WSZ) and WSZ’s may be272
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy linked together to form a water resource zone. It is Uisce Éireann’s objective to interlink WSZs, where appropriate, to increase the resilience (reliability) of the water supply system. Network reinforcement is likely to be required to ensure that water supply can be moved around the network to where it is needed. In addition, many of the water treatment plants in the county need to be upgraded in order to ensure that water is produced to the required standards as set out in the relevant Drinking Water Regulations. It is estimated that 42% of the water supplied in Ireland is lost as a result of leakage. Clean potable water is an important resource and therefore water conservation is essential to ensure security of supply in the future. Figure 11.2 Household Water Supply Sources in County Clare (Source CSO 2016) Development Plan Objective: Water Supply CDP 11.30 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the implementation of Uisce Éireann Investment Plans and to advocate the provision, by Uisce Éireann, of adequate water supply to accommodate the target population and employment potential of the county and in accordance with the statutory obligations set out in the EU and national policy and in line with the Core Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy set out in this plan; b) To support the role of Uisce Éireann Investment Plans in taking into account seasonal pressures on critical water supply service infrastructure, climate change implications and leakage reduction in the design of all relevant projects; c) To advocate for the ongoing conservation and upgrade of water supply infrastructure in the county; d) To maximise the use of existing capacity in water supply services in the planning of new development;273
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy e) To protect existing way leaves and protection areas around public water supply services infrastructure through appropriate zoning and to facilitate the provision of appropriate sites for required water services infrastructure; f) To work with all stakeholders to promote water conservation and sustainable water usage; g) To promote and support the use of rainwater harvesting (in new buildings and as a retrofit) where viable; and, h) To prohibit the use of bored wells for water supply for new development in areas where a public supply is available. 11.4.2 Water Supply in the Ennis and Environs Area In the Ennis and Environs area water is derived from a natural groundwater source at Drumcliff Springs, located to the north of the town. The Drumcliff water treatment plant supplies the Ennis Water Supply Zone (Ennis, Clarecastle, Barefield, Crusheen and Doora). Geological Survey Ireland has identified this water source as being ‘highly vulnerable’ and due regard will be had to this designation in the assessment of development proposals in the area. An exclusion zone, 200m in radius, has been established around the springs. In order to meet the envisaged demand for water from the target population it is imperative that water storage is enhanced, water is conserved, and pipe network repairs are implemented. Pouladower Spring is located approximately 3km to the north of Ennis, rising at the northwest corner of Ballyallia Lough. This source will be investigated as a potential back-up supply/future supply to reduce dependency on Drumcliff Springs. Development Plan Objective: Ennis and Environs Water Supply CDP 11.31 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To improve efficiency in the operation and demand management of the water supply infrastructure, promote water conservation and reduce the overall loss in public water supply in the Ennis and Environs area; b) To safeguard Pouladower Spring and investigate its use as a potential supply of water for the Ennis area. Any proposal with regard to the development of such a supply source shall demonstrate that it will not have a negative impact on European Sites; c) To advocate the provision, by Uisce Éireann, of an adequate water supply to accommodate the target population and the employment potential of the Ennis and Environs area in accordance with statutory obligations as set out by EU and National policy; and,274
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy d) To protect the Drumcliffe Springs water resource including by not permitting development on either the Springs, or within the established 200 metre exclusion zone, notwithstanding development that may be required to maintain, upgrade or augment the existing water supply source and infrastructure, subject to proper planning and sustainable development. 11.4.3 Wastewater Management Uisce Éireann has responsibility for the provision and management of wastewater facilities serving sewered towns and villages, including the management of storm water for combined sewers. The maintenance, upgrading and provision of the county’s wastewater drainage system is essential to accommodate future development requirements and to ensure the sustainable development and environmental protection of the county. At present there are significant service and compliance issues in many existing wastewater systems in County Clare. A number of treatment plant and network projects are being progressed under Uisce Éireann’s 2020-2024 Programme of Investment to address these issues. Sludge is a by-product of wastewater treatment operations. To minimise risk to human health and the environment Clare County Council will work with Uisce Éireann in the implementation of the National Wastewater Sludge Management Plan for the management of sludge derived from wastewater treatment processes. Figure 11.3 Types of Household Wastewater Systems in County Clare (Source CSO 2016) Outside of the serviced towns and villages most developments in County Clare are served by individual proprietary wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks. Developments in these unserviced areas must demonstrate that the on-site wastewater treatment system can safely and adequately dispose of effluent in accordance with the relevant EPA Code of Practice. In unserviced areas, where developments require private wastewater treatment and disposal,275
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy calculations should be submitted at application stage which demonstrate that the site is of sufficient size to safely assimilate the effluent from the development. Development Plan Objective: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal CDP 11.32 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the implementation of Uisce Éireann Investment Plans and to advocate the provision, by Uisce Éireann, of adequate wastewater treatment facilities to accommodate the target population and employment potential of the county in accordance with the statutory obligations set out in the EU and national policy and in line with the Core Strategy and Settlement Hierarchy set out in this plan; b) To support the role of Uisce Éireann Investment Plans in taking into account seasonal pressures on critical wastewater treatment service infrastructure and climate change implications in the design of all relevant projects; c) To advocate for the on-going provision, maintenance and upgrade of wastewater treatment infrastructure in the county; d) To maximise the use of the existing capacity of wastewater treatment services in the planning of new development; e) To protect existing way leaves and protection areas around public wastewater treatment services infrastructure through appropriate zoning and to facilitate the provision of appropriate sites for required wastewater treatment services infrastructure; f) To support Uisce Éireann in the promotion of effective management of trade discharges to sewers in order to maximise the capacity of the existing sewer networks and minimise detrimental impacts on sewage treatment works; g) To permit the development of single dwelling houses in unserviced areas only where it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority that the proposed wastewater treatment system is in accordance with the Code of Practice for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Population Equivalent ≤ 10), EPA (2021); h) Where settlements have no public wastewater treatment infrastructure, and in settlements which have limited or insufficient capacity to facilitate development, to consider alternative developer led/provided shared use wastewater treatment infrastructure and bridging276
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.