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 11.7 SEVESO – Major Accidents Directive The SEVESO III Directive (2012/18/EU) came into force in Ireland on 1st June 2015 replacing the Seveso II Directive, 96/82/EC. This is the main EU legislation dealing with the control of onshore major accident hazards involving dangerous substances. The Directive is implemented in Ireland through the Chemicals Act (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015. The Directive covers establishments where dangerous substances may be present (e.g. during processing or storage) in quantities above a certain threshold. A Major Accident Hazard Site (SEVESO Site) is a site where the occupier has notified the Health and Safety Authority that they meet or exceed a specified threshold. Excluded from the Directive are certain industrial activities which are subject to other legislation providing a similar level of protection e.g. nuclear establishments or the transport of dangerous substances. There are a number of companies in County Clare which are within the remit of the SEVESO III Directive. The aim is to prevent major accidents and/or limit their consequences ensuring high levels of protection for the community in a consistent and effective manner. There are two tiers of industries, depending on the quantity of substances used, handled or stored on site. The existing SEVESO Sites within the plan area include: Upper Tier • ESB Generating Station, Moneypoint • Shannon Aviation Fuels, Shannon International Airport Lower Tier • Enva Ireland Ltd, Shannon Clare County Council is required to seek technical advice from the Health and Safety Authority, which acts as the Central Competent Authority, in relation to any planning application directly pertaining to a SEVESO Site or within ‘consultation distance’ of these establishments. Technical guidance relating to HSA policy is provided for in Guidance on technical land-use planning advice– For planning authorities and COMAH established operators (2023). Development Plan Objective: SEVESO III Directive CDP 11.43 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To control the following for the purposes of reducing the risk or limiting the consequences of a major accident (regard will be had to the provisions of the SEVESO III287
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Directive and any regulations, under any enactment, giving effect to that Directive): • The siting of Major Accident Hazard sites; • The modification of an existing Major Accident Hazard site; or, • Specified development in the vicinity of a Major Accident Hazard site. 11.8 Energy and Communications The provision of high quality and reliable energy and communications infrastructure is essential for County Clare in terms of attracting and retaining high-tech economic investment, maintaining a high quality of life and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels so that climate change targets are met. Demand for energy has continued to increase in line with population and economic growth. The greenhouse gases produced in energy production and use are one of the major contributors to climate change and a transformation of our energy system is required to meet National, European, and International climate policy objectives. 11.8.1 Energy Strategy An efficient and secure energy supply is essential to the future growth and sustainable development of County Clare. Reliable and low-cost energy is essential for a high quality of life for the residents of County Clare and to ensure that the county is an attractive place in which to do business. However, it is essential to ensure that energy demands are met without compromising environmental quality. Energy efficiency, renewable energy development and progression towards a carbon neutral economy are therefore central themes of this plan. 11.8.2 Energy Security The ability to deliver a secure and uninterrupted sustainable energy supply at a competitive cost is critical to County Clare’s ability to continue to provide a supportive environment for industry and innovation and to attract and retain high levels of foreign direct investment. Clare County Council will promote the implementation of the Clare County Renewable Energy Strategy 2023-2030 (in Volume 5 of this plan) and will facilitate the development of a range of sustainable forms of energy creation within the county in order to ensure a secure and effective supply of energy. The Shannon Estuary is identified as a key asset in developing a diverse and secure energy supply in the Region. Significant potential exists to harness the sustainable development of renewable energy sources to assist in meeting renewable energy targets, as set out in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary. Clare County Council recognises that the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector and the ESB’s ‘Green Atlantic’ project present significant opportunities for the Shannon Estuary in respect of new infrastructure and supply chain developments. The Shannon Estuary is well placed to capture a significant share of this market and to become a focal point for the offshore wind industry288
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy in Europe. See Chapter 2 Climate Action, Chapter 12 Shannon Estuary and Volume 9 Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary for further information and detailed objectives relating to Energy. The SIFP identifies four sites within the Shannon Estuary that are of strategic significance in nationally and regionally in terms of their contribution to the security and diversity of energy supply and further economic potential. The four sites of strategic significance are: • Moneypoint; • Tarbert; • Tarbert-Ballylongford land bank; and, • Aughinish Alumina. Development Plan Objective: Energy Security CDP 11.44 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To promote and facilitate the sustainable development, maintenance and upgrading of electricity and gas network grid infrastructure, to integrate renewable energy sources, thereby creating a secure and efficient energy supply and storage system for County Clare which is ready to meet increased demand as the regional economy grows. 11.8.3 Electricity Network The provision of a secure and adequate electricity infrastructure is essential to meet the growth in demand and to ensure that an efficient and reliable electricity supply is available to households, business and industry. A strong transmission grid is essential to attract and retain high tech industrial investment, to ensure competitive energy supplies, to achieve balanced development, to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and, to achieve climate change targets. Moreover, to attract renewable energy development it is important for County Clare that the existing grid infrastructure is reinforced where necessary and expanded to areas not adequately serviced. Clare County Council will continue to work closely with EirGrid to facilitate the ongoing development of the grid infrastructure in line with national, regional and local requirements. EirGrid is currently progressing a number of projects to accommodate various energy generators and reinforce the National Grid and a new submarine 400kV cable to connect Moneypoint to North Kerry on the southern side of the Shannon Estuary has recently been permitted by An Bord Pleanála. Another project involves works at Moneypoint which allow the increased use of the capability of the existing 400kV overhead lines.289
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Electricity Networks CDP 11.45 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To facilitate improvements in energy infrastructure and encourage the expansion of the infrastructure within the county; b) To facilitate future alternative renewable energy developments and associated utility infrastructure throughout the county; c) To support the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I- SEM) as a key priority for the Southern Region and the sustainable development and reinforcement of the energy grid including grid connections, transboundary networks into and through County Clare subject to appropriate environmental assessment and planning processes; d) To collaborate with EirGrid to facilitate the development of a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity, enhanced electricity networks and new transmission infrastructure projects that might be brought forward in the lifetime of this Plan under EirGrid’s (2017) Grid Development Strategy (subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process); e) To collaborate with EirGrid over the lifetime of the plan to ensure that the county’s minimum target of 1,167MW of renewable energy generation is achieved and can be accommodated on the electricity network in County Clare; and, f) To have regard to environmental and visual considerations in the assessment of developments of this nature and ensure compliance with the environmental requirements of objective CDP 3.3 of this plan. 11.8.4 Gas Networks Gas Infrastructure has an important role to play in the development of renewable energy. It can facilitate future renewable energy development by providing reserve fuel for heat and power facilities otherwise provided by renewable resources, in a local and national context. The planned investment by the ESB at Moneypoint in green hydrogen production, storage and subsequent energy generation is an example of how the security of energy supply from renewable sources can be addressed. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) has published a long-term strategy document named ‘Vision 2050’ which envisages that the national gas network will evolve to become net zero carbon by 2050 and in doing so will support emissions reductions across every sector of the Irish economy. GNI owns and operates the gas transmission pipeline running from north to south290
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy through County Clare and the adjoining wayleaves. Gas Networks Ireland also applies a 400 metre ‘Zone of Interest’ corridor to the gas pipeline whereby the nature and scale of all developments outside the wayleaves are monitored to ensure compliance with current codes of practice. Development Plan Objective: Gas Networks CDP 11.46 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To facilitate the delivery and expansion of the natural gas infrastructure throughout the county for both domestic and business/industry use and to have regard to the location of existing gas infrastructure in the assessment of planning applications; b) To promote renewable gas leading to carbon emission reductions in agriculture, industry, heating and transport as well as sustainable local employment opportunities; c) To support the production and storage of green hydrogen and the transition of the gas network to a carbon neutral gas network by 2050, which will assist County Clare, the Region and Ireland in becoming a low carbon society; d) To support investment in the sustainable development of the agricultural biogas sector and regional gas supply projects which strengthen gas networks in the region and assist integration of renewable gas with the grid network; e) To support investment in developing renewable gas and provision of a CNG refuelling infrastructure which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both the agriculture and transport sectors and support carbon capture and storage initiatives, which have the potential to decarbonise power generation at scale; f) To facilitate the strengthening of the gas network sustainably to service settlements and employment areas in County Clare and to facilitate progress in developing the infrastructures to enable strategic energy projects in the county including those identified in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan for the Shannon Estuary (SIFP); and, g) To ensure compliance with the environmental requirements of objective CDP 3.3 of this plan. 11.8.5 Renewable Energy Sources The global climate is changing and increased levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases which are attributable for the most part to the burning of fossil fuels are accelerating this change. The policy context for the requirement to transition to a carbon neutral society by 2050 is set out in Section 2.3 of this Plan. By 2030 Ireland must achieve 70% of power generation from291
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy renewable energy sources, whilst by 2050 Ireland must achieve carbon neutrality. Whilst County Clare currently has the capacity to provide sufficient energy from renewable energy sources to meet demand within the county, the achievement of these challenging targets at the Regional and National levels will require both an increase in renewable generation and a phasing out of coal and peat fired electricity generation plants. It will also require the strengthening of the energy storage and electricity transmission networks to manage the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. The term ‘renewable energy’ refers to those energy flows that occur naturally and repeatedly in the environment including from the sun, wind, oceans, and the fall of water. Geothermal energy, plant material and combustible or digestible agricultural, domestic, or industrial waste may also be regarded as renewable sources of energy. A Renewable Energy Strategy and Wind Energy Strategy have been prepared for County Clare and comprise Volumes 5 and 6, respectively, of this plan. The Clare Wind Energy Strategy identifies the optimum locations for wind energy developments in the county having regard to environmental and geographical constraints and the protection of the amenities of local residents. An updated Wind Energy Strategy will be prepared upon the publication of the update to the Wind Energy Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2006. The Clare Renewable Energy Strategy 2023-2029 outlines the potential for a range of renewable resources, including bioenergy and anaerobic digestion, micro-renewables, combined heat and power, geothermal, solar, hydro, energy storage, onshore and offshore, wave and tidal energy. It acknowledges the significant contribution that they can make to County Clare in terms of energy security, reduced reliance on traditional fossil fuels, enabling future energy exports and meeting assigned targets. Large scale renewable energy projects should seek to provide a community gain element in establishing such infrastructure in local areas as outlined in the Programme for Government. The National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 outlines the need to facilitate community participation and to support up to 10% community renewable electricity projects by 2030. Development Plan Objective: Renewable Energy CDP 11.47 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To encourage and to favourably consider proposals for renewable energy developments, including community owned developments, and ancillary facilities in order to meet National, Regional and County renewable energy targets, and to facilitate a reduction in CO2 emissions and the promotion of a low carbon economy; b) To assess future renewable energy-related development proposals having regard to the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy 2023-2029 in Volume 5 of this plan and associated SEA and AA;292
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy c) To support the sustainable development of renewable wind energy (onshore and offshore) at appropriate locations and of its related grid infrastructure in County Clare, in accordance with all relevant policies, guidance and guidelines pertaining to the protection of the environment and protected habitats and species, and to assess proposals having regard to the Clare Wind Energy Strategy in Volume 6 of this plan and the associated SEA and AA, or any subsequent updated adopted strategy and to National Wind Energy Guidelines; d) To prepare a new and updated Wind Energy Strategy for County Clare during the lifetime of this plan, subject to the publication of the update to the Wind Energy Development Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2006; e) To strike an appropriate balance between facilitating renewable and wind energy-related development and protecting the residential amenities of neighbouring properties; f) To support and facilitate the development of new options and technological advances in relation to renewable energy production and storage, that may emerge over the lifetime of this plan; g) To support the integration of indigenous renewable energy production and grid injection; h) To ensure that all proposals for renewable energy developments and ancillary facilities in the county are in full compliance with the requirements of the SEA and Habitats Directives and objective CDP 3.3 of this plan; and, i) To promote and market the county as a leader of renewable energy provision.293
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy Development Plan Objective: Renewable Energy Strategy CDP 11.48 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support implementation of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), and the Offshore Renewable Energy Plan including mitigation measures outlined in their respective SEA and AA and promote County Clare and the Southern Region as a leader and innovator in sustainable renewable energy generation; and, b) To support the implementation of the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy 2023-2029 in Volume 5 of this plan; and, c) To support the development of a Regional Renewable Energy Strategy with relevant stakeholders. Development Plan Objective: Renewable Offshore Energy CDP 11.49 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To work with relevant stakeholders in terms of offshore renewable energy development, environmental monitoring, and awareness of the benefits of realising the county and region’s offshore energy potential. Initiatives arising from this objective shall be subject to robust feasibility and site selection processes in advance of any development, which will include explicit consideration of likely significant effects on European Sites and potential for adverse effects on the integrity of European Sites. Development Plan Objective: Power Stations and Renewable Energy CDP 11.50 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the sustainable technology upgrading and conversion of power stations in the county including Moneypoint to the use of energy efficient and renewable energy sources; and, b) To support the redevelopment of the Moneypoint power generation station site as a green energy hub subject to the requirements of the Habitats and Birds Directive, Water Framework Directive, and all other relevant EU Directives. 11.8.6 Energy Storage Renewable energy resources are typically available on an intermittent basis. An ability to store energy generated from renewable resources increases the quantity of low carbon energy harnessed and the efficiency of the electricity system. Clare County Council recognises the294
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy importance of renewable energy storage, particularly green hydrogen gas storage and pumped freshwater hydro energy storage, in meeting its targets in respect of renewable electricity generation. Energy storage is addressed in greater detail in the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy 2023-2029 (Volume 5 of this Plan). Development Plan Objective: Energy Storage CDP 11.51 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support and facilitate the development of secure, appropriately scaled energy storage facilities, particularly green hydrogen gas storage and pumped freshwater hydro energy storage, at suitable locations throughout the county, in compliance with the requirements of objective CDP 3.3 of this plan; and, b) To support initiatives to develop innovation, advances in technology and pilot projects for the sustainable development of energy storage and carbon capture within the region and to work with key stakeholders in developing sustainable forestry to support carbon sequestration and enhance biodiversity. 11.8.7 Energy Efficiency and Conservation The introduction of renewable energy and innovative technologies alone cannot reduce our dependence upon imported fossil fuels. Therefore, in order to achieve carbon neutrality in Ireland by 2050 and the interim targets in advance of this date, energy efficiency and conservation of the non-renewable resources available to us for as long as possible must be dramatically increased. See Chapter 2 Climate Action for further information and detailed objectives relating to climate action. Development Plan Objective: Energy Efficiency and Conservation CDP 11.52 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To support and promote energy efficiency savings in all sectors in support of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the objectives of the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy in Volume 5 of this plan. 11.8.8 Broadband Connectivity There has been a significant increase in the level and quality of broadband connectivity across the county, which is indicative of the high levels of investment in this area in recent years. However, much of this improvement has been focused on urban areas and many rural areas continue to experience poor quality of service.295
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 11 | Physical Infrastructure, Environment and Energy The aim of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland with specific reference to ‘intervention areas’ which are areas where commercial operators acting alone are unlikely to invest. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is designing, building, and operating the new high-speed fibre broadband network with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps for rural Ireland. All counties will see premises included in the first 2 years of rollout and over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high-speed broadband within the next four years. Upon completion the NBP will have connected 23% of the population, 544,000 premises, 1.1 million people, 54,000 farms, 44,000 small businesses and 695 schools. High speed reliable broadband connectivity is essential for the economic growth of both County Clare and the wider region in terms of attracting inward investment and increasing competitiveness. It is also essential to ensure a high quality of life for residents of County Clare, particularly those in the ‘intervention areas’. DigiClare is an initiative of Clare County Council identified as part of the Clare Rural Development Strategy 2023 and established to support rural communities by providing flexible, affordable and local office facilities and high-speed broadband connectivity in rural locations in the county. This is further addressed in Section 8.2.8 Rural Broadband. Development Plan Objective: Digital Strategy CDP 11.53 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To support and facilitate the implementation of the Clare Digital Strategy 2023 and support the role and initiatives of the Mobile and Broadband Taskforce in addressing digital and mobile coverage blackspots and rural communications connectivity. Development Plan Objective: Broadband Connectivity CDP 11.54 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support and facilitate the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and high-capacity ICT infrastructure to all locations across the county; b) To support and facilitate the implementation of the Clare Digital Strategy 2023 and its successor(s); and, c) To support and facilitate the sustainable delivery of digital infrastructure ducting and dark fibre infrastructure and the strengthening of Metropolitan Area Networks and to ensure compliance with the environmental requirements of objectives CDP 3.3.296
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.