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 12 | Shannon Estuary available to develop. The generating station, which is owned and operated by the ESB, has an installed capacity of 915MW. The site is a major hub for electricity transmission with a 440kv transmission station, connecting into the National Grid system. It is also a bulk supply point for the region, and an essential component of the ESB meshed transmission system. Moneypoint is an existing, strategically important energy hub in terms of capacity and security of supply through providing diversity in fuel use and providing critical energy storage for the global energy market. It has a network of 400, 220 and 110kV power lines radiating from the station and these lines are core elements of the national and regional grid network. In accordance with the European Green Deal, the National Climate Action Plan, the Programme for Government 2020 Our Shared Vision and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act (2021) Ireland is required to transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy no later than 2050. The RSES also promotes the conversion of Moneypoint electricity station by 2025 from the generation of energy by burning fossil fuels to the generation of energy by renewable means. Five wind turbines were recently permitted and installed on the site and these have an overall generating capacity of 15MW. The ESB has also announced plans under its Brighter Future strategy to transform the site from a fossil fuel burning power generation station into a green energy hub under the ‘Green Atlantic’ project. The project is a multi-billion Euro programme of significant investments on the site over the next decade. The overall project comprises of: • Renewable enablement – Installation of a ‘Sustainable Support System’ i.e. synchronous compensator, which will provide a range of services to the electricity grid including the enabling of higher volumes of energy from renewable sources; • Offshore floating windfarm – A floating offshore Windfarm of 1,400 megawatts to be developed in 2 phases off the coasts of County Clare and County Kerry with a capability of powering more than 1.6 million homes in Ireland;307
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary • Wind turbine construction hub – To develop Moneypoint as a centre for the construction and assembly of floating wind turbines and to support the wider plans of Shannon Foynes Port to make the Shannon Estuary a focal point for the offshore wind industry in Europe; • Hydrogen energy – Investment in a green hydrogen production, storage and generation facility at Moneypoint. There is significant hydrogen storage and manufacturing potential at Moneypoint. The green hydrogen will be produced from renewable energy and used for power generation, heavy goods vehicles in the transport sector and to help decarbonise a wide range of industries such as pharmaceuticals, electronics and cement manufacturing. Clare County Council supports the ‘Green Atlantic’ project and is committed to safeguarding the future operations and proposed development at Moneypoint to ensure efficient production of environmentally sustainable electricity and security/diversity of supply in the future while at the same time ensuring that the environmental integrity of the adjacent Shannon Estuary is maintained. In addition, there are a number of pockets of deep water in this area and a tidal energy resource opportunity has been identified which is available for full exploration. The Council will work with the relevant stakeholders and the local communities to understand how people may be affected by the transition to a low carbon future at the Moneypoint SDL and how best to ensure a just energy and climate neutral transition for all. The SDL is close to the mouth of the Estuary with excellent transport linkages including direct access to sea traffic for the likes of the proposed floating wind turbine materials/components and the existing fuel deliveries (that ensures efficient replenishment of stand-by fuel general reserves). The lands are also well connected to the existing road network. Having regard to the location of this SDL on the N67 National Secondary road, any development which requires a new direct access onto that route shall have regard to, and be in compliance with, Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DoECLG 2012), and in particular Section 2.6 of these Guidelines, which requires the identification of ‘exceptional circumstances’ where a less restrictive approach to the control of access to national roads may apply. This is in addition to any other relevant objectives that may apply and are contained within this plan. The SDL is adjacent to Natura 2000 site designations and there are protected archaeological monuments located within the SDL area. In addition, the site is a SEVESO Upper Tier Site. Any proposed development at this SDL must be cognisant of the statutory requirements associated with these designations. The sustainable delivery of such major development projects as the Green Atlantic project at Moneypoint in the Shannon Estuary requires consideration and sensitive balancing of many complex considerations, including technical aspects of the project, potential environmental impacts and socio-economic considerations, all in the context of the requirement to adhere to a complex network of European, National and local legislation, policy and regulation. The308
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary implementation of EU Directives obligates investors to achieve this balance between development and the protection of the environment within the Estuary. Development Plan Objective: Strategic Development Location B– Moneypoint CDP 12.6 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To safeguard the role and function of Strategic Development Location B – Moneypoint as a key strategic driver of economic growth in the country, facilitating its sustainable growth, operational expansion and diversification, in accordance with national and regional energy objectives; b) To support the redevelopment of the Moneypoint power generation station site as a green energy hub and the development of the Shannon Estuary as a focal point for the offshore wind industry in Europe; c) To support and facilitate the development of marinerelated industry on lands adjacent to Moneypoint which is compatible with the primary use of the SDL as a Strategic Energy Location; d) To ensure that all proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives; e) To ensure that all proposed development at Strategic Development Location B shall incorporate the Mitigation Measures as contained in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary (Volume 9 of this plan) for ensuring the integrity of the Natura 2000 Network. 12.3 Shipping and Navigation The ability to accommodate larger ships is critical to safeguarding and developing Ireland’s trade potential and its competitiveness in the global market. This is particularly important in the context of the challenges posed by Brexit and the capacity issues on existing direct ferry routes between Ireland and mainland Europe. Clare County Council will seek to provide the policy framework that safeguards the critical deepwater channels, and facilitates the sustainable growth of deep draught berths, quayside infrastructure and cargo handling facilities to ensure that shipping on the Shannon Estuary continues to make a significant contribution to the national and regional economy.309
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary Development Plan Objective: Shipping and Navigation CDP 12.7 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To facilitate and promote the economic growth of shipping trade and investment within the Shannon Estuary, in a sustainable, safe and environmentally sensitive manner. All proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives; b) To support cooperation across all relevant sectors in the preparation of Strategic Dredging Management Plans. c) To use the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary to promote the establishment of a longterm, whole-estuary approach to the collation of noise monitoring data to inform the potential environmental effects of such an expansion in shipping within the Estuary on long lived species such as bottlenose dolphins; d) To ensure that all proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives; and e) To ensure that all development associated with shipping and navigation shall incorporate the sector and site-specific Mitigation Measures as contained in the SIFP (Volume 9 of this plan) for ensuring the integrity of the Natura 2000 Network. 12.4 Harnessing the Energy Resource of the Shannon Estuary Clare County Council recognises that the Shannon Estuary is long established as a major contributor to the national energy supply market. Energy development within the Shannon Estuary must be considered in the context of the multi-functional nature of the Estuary area and the competing requirement to safeguard the nature conservation obligations of international standing. The context is also provided by national energy policy in respect of security of supply, the national requirement to transition to a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, the existing energy infrastructure in the region, the need to upgrade infrastructure for the delivery and expansion of the electricity and gas networks, and the technical capacity of the Estuary to accommodate growth in the energy sector. Development Plan Objective: Harnessing the Energy Resources of the Shannon Estuary CDP 12.8 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To ensure that the Shannon Estuary fulfils its optimum role in contributing to the diversity and security of energy supply;310
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary b) To harness the potential of the Estuary for the sustainable development of renewable energy sources to assist in meeting renewable energy targets; c) To contribute to a working group on Research, Education and Training to map research capabilities, human capacity, national and international connections and opportunities with respect to renewable energy; (d) To ensure that all proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives; (e) To ensure that all development associated with the energy sector shall incorporate the sector and site specific Mitigation Measures as contained in the SIFP (Volume 9 of this plan) for ensuring the integrity of the Natura 2000 Network. 12.4.1 Renewable Energy Given the requirements on Local Authorities as outlined within the national Climate Action Plan 2023, the Shannon Estuary is set to become a world class leader and major contributor to renewable energy generation and transmission, taking advantage of the potential offshore floating wind power in the deeper waters off the Atlantic coast. 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 and beyond in respect of new infrastructure and supply chain enterprises. The Shannon Estuary is well placed to capture a significant share of this market and to become a focal point for the offshore wind industry in Europe. It is acknowledged that to take advantage of these opportunities, strategic investment is required at the Estuary’s ports and the appropriate upgrade of these facilities is supported by the Council. Renewable energy development in the Shannon Estuary must demonstrate compatibility with the critical environmental considerations and the strategic shipping/navigation interests that exist on the Estuary. 12.5 Tourism on the Shannon Estuary The Shannon Estuary is the place where Ireland’s longest river enters the Atlantic Ocean and is an area of remarkable beauty. There is a wide range of major tourist attractions in and around the Shannon Estuary from Bunratty Castle in the east, Loop Head in the west, marina facilities and associated attractions at Kilrush, the Blue Flag beaches at Cappa and Kilkee, the network of cycling, trekking and walking trails, a myriad of water-based tourist facilities and scenic routes. In addition, Shannon International Airport, which functions as a key gateway to the region and the West of Ireland, is located on the northern shores of the Estuary. Clare County Council recognises that the Estuary, with its considerable range of attractions in terms of the scale and variety of the offer is a marketable tourism asset.311
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary The Developing Nature-based Tourism Opportunities on the Shannon Estuary Way strategy was launched in 2019 following a community-led project supported by Clare County Council, Limerick City and County Council, Clare Local Development Company, West Limerick Resources and Fáilte Ireland with the aim of making the Shannon Estuary a key tourist attraction for the Mid-West. The strategy aims to increase visitor dwell times and spending in the local communities along the 207km Shannon Estuary route and to achieve synergies with the Wild Atlantic Way. The environment of the Shannon Estuary is internationally recognised for its nature conservation interest which is a tourist asset in its own right. In addition, studies carried out to date have examined the feasibility of sustainable exploitation of the eco/heritage tourism potential of the islands of the Estuary. The Estuary’s coastal habitat is an important ecological environment sheltered from the Atlantic and it carries legal protection that reflects its environmental value. The quality of the natural environment and architectural heritage makes the area attractive as a leisure destination for eco/heritage tourism, bird/dolphin watching and activity breaks. Clare County Council will seek to build on these considerable assets and will generally direct tourist development projects to the settlements around the Shannon Estuary, pitching development at a level commensurate with the status of the settlement in the Settlement Hierarchy. The Council will encourage and facilitate expansion and redevelopment of existing facilities, while minimising the potential for harm to this prized environment by ensuring compliance with the Habitats Directive. Cruise Industry With its location on the world famous Wild Atlantic Way and with natural deep and sheltered waters, County Clare and the Shannon Estuary is a welcoming and attractive destination for cruise liners and their passengers. Clare County Council has collaborated with Shannon Foynes Port Company and adjoining Local Authorities to form ‘Cruise Shannon Estuary’, an initiative to sustainably grow the cruise and sustainable marine tourism industry and to establish the Shannon Estuary and County Clare as one of the top destinations for cruise liners in Europe. In the context of County Clare, the proposal will seek to dock small to medium size expedition cruise ships mid-way in the Estuary and tender passengers northwards to Cahiracon Pier and County Clare, offering a unique experience for its passengers to visit the amenities and attractions in the nearby coastal towns and villages along the Estuary and experience the stunning trails, local produce and the attractions of the county. The cruise potential was identified through engagement with Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) and the cruise sector, consideration of the physical and logistical attributes of Cahiracon Pier itself and the positive policy framework set out in the Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 and the SIFP for the Shannon Estuary. This is further complemented by the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030 and its Strategic Priority to “Explore the feasibility of attracting an appropriate segment312
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary of the cruise sector in a sustainable manner”. This plan supports Cahiracon Pier accepting cruise sector tourists and for the carrying out of the necessary works to facilitate this. The SIFP recognises that the Shannon Estuary is a marketable tourist asset with a considerable range of attractions in terms of the scale and variety of offer. It recognises that the Estuary presents some challenges to the cruise industry including the degree of deviation from established routes. Renewable Energy Training There are significant opportunities post-Brexit and post-Covid-19 in terms of the provision of maritime training. The proximity of the Clare Maritime Economic Zone (MEZ) facility in Kilrush to Moneypoint, Shannon-Foynes Port and the Shannon Estuary offers a unique opportunity for the training centre to be at the heart of the provision of maritime training in the context of the offshore renewable energy developments targeted for off the west coast in the coming years. In line with ESB’s Green Atlantic offshore floating wind energy project and the transformation of Moneypoint into a Green Energy Hub it will be necessary to retrain the existing workforce and to increase knowledge in the wider workforce as the offshore renewable energy sector grows. Development Plan Objective: Promoting Tourism, Recreation and Leisure around the Shannon Estuary CDP 12.9 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To facilitate and promote the sensitive and sustainable use of the Shannon Estuary’s assets in an integrated manner to develop a dynamic and sustainable tourism, recreation and leisure sector that delivers maximum social and economic benefit to the communities of the estuary while safeguarding valued landscape, heritage and environmental interests. All proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives. Development Plan Objective: Cruise Ship Industry CDP 12.10 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To support and facilitate the sustainable use of the Estuary by the cruise ship industry by maintaining and safeguarding critical navigational channels, anchorage and berthing facilities. All proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework313
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary Directive, Invasive Alien Species Regulations and Shellfish Waters Directive, Floods Directive and EIA Directive. 12.6 Estuary Settlements There are a number of important settlements adjacent to the Shannon Estuary including Shannon and Kilrush which are the second and third largest towns in County Clare. The settlements along the northern shoreline of the Estuary include Ballynacally, Carrigaholt, Doonaha, Kilbaha, Killadysert, Killimer, Knock, Labasheeda and Querrin. Objectives for the Settlement Hierarchy are contained in Chapter 4 of the plan. In accordance with RSES Regional Policy Objective RPO29, the Council supports the development of rural settlement networks in the county i.e. such as those along the Estuary to assist in collaborative projects e.g. the Shannon Estuary Way, and sharing of assets and strengths. Development Plan Objective: Estuary Settlements CDP 12.11 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To ensure that the settlements along the northern shoreline of the Estuary benefit from potential economic, tourism and recreational developments, in accordance with the role of the settlement on the Settlement Hierarchy in Chapter 3, Section 3.4 Settlement Hierarchy. b) To support the concept of settlement networks, to assist collaborative projects and the sharing of assets and strengths, the strengthening of the viability of the existing settlements along the Estuary and the maintenance and expansion of existing population levels and essential services and roles. 12.7 The Estuary Islands Clare County Council recognises that the islands of the Estuary offer potential for the sustainable development of eco-tourism and heritage-based tourism. The islands are still farmed despite the challenging nature of the landscape. The Shannon Estuary is one of the most important sites in Ireland for wintering and migrating water birds, thus reflecting the designation of the majority of the Estuary as a Special Protection Area. The Estuary around the islands has considerable potential for bird watching and other nature conservation-based pursuits. In combination with the rich cultural heritage and a remarkable landscape setting, this represents a significant tourism opportunity. However, nature conservation is a very high priority, and any development must ensure that the conservation objectives for the European sites are maintained at favourable status.314
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary Each island has its own story to tell in the social history of the Shannon Estuary, with each hosting a wealth of cultural heritage. An example of the development of eco-tourism and heritage-based tourism associated with the islands is the establishment of a boat tour service from Kilrush to Scattery Island. Uninhabited since 1978, the island has seen significant increases in the number of tourists visiting in recent years. 12.8 Aviation Shannon International Airport and Shannon town are located on the Estuary. Currently the regular delivery of aviation fuel to the Airport by bulk oil-tankers at Shannon Port is the only direct transport connection between the Estuary waters and Shannon town. Given the scale, potential and multi-modal international and national transport linkages from Shannon, potential may exist to improve connectivity and linkages between marine-based transport and Shannon, creating a multi-modal logistics hub in the region. The Council recognises the importance of Shannon International Airport and the industrial base in Shannon town to the region as a whole. A further investigation of the potential for additional linkages and access to the water from Shannon town and complementary uses of the existing jetty facilities will be encouraged and supported. It is critical to safeguard the airport lands for future airport expansion and rationalisation, and as a result Clare County Council will give priority to aviation and other compatible uses including aircraft servicing and maintenance, freight cargo handling, complementary business park uses, flight schools, autonomous vehicle testing and international logistics and research that support the long term sustainability of the airport and business park. It is noted that any such developments may require works in/adjacent to areas designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)/Special Protection Area (SPA) and, in this regard, projects must comply with the requirement of the Habitats and Birds Directives. Development Plan Objective:315
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 12 | Shannon Estuary Aviation and the Shannon Estuary CDP 12.12 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To realise the long term potential of Shannon International Airport and its environs within the Southern Region, and encourage the sustainable development of the Airport as a strategic economic driver in the Shannon Estuary and the wider Region. All proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives. 12.9 Commercial Fishing/Aquaculture on the Estuary The Atlantic waters off Ireland’s south-west coast are renowned for being rich fishing grounds and the Shannon Estuary offers excellent fishing all year round. The relatively sheltered waters of the Estuary contain a series of harbours and piers of various scales and specifications. Clare County Council in collaboration with other agencies will facilitate, where appropriate, the development of commercial fishing and associated improvements to piers and infrastructure facilities in the Shannon Estuary, while having regard to the requirement to manage and conserve the natural resources, and in particular to comply with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. The principal commercial fishing activity in the Estuary is for shellfish. In addition, some limited salmon fishing, potting and seasonal trawling also take place. All fish/shellfish production by aquaculture is subject to licence from the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Shellfish Waters Directive (2006/113/EC) protects existing shellfish waters in Carrigaholt, Rinevella Bay and Poulnasharry Bay. In undertaking its functions, Clare County Council will have regard to the requirement to protect the shellfish waters. Development Plan Objective: Commercial Fishing/Aquaculture CDP 12.13 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To contribute to the diversification of the local economy, growth in employment and social wellbeing of coastal communities of County Clare through the facilitation and promotion of environmentally sustainable commercial fishing and aquaculture, within the Areas of Opportunity for commercial fishing/aquaculture identified in the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, which are at Poulnasharry Bay, Carrigaholt Bay, Rinevella Bay, Killimer and Clonderalaw Bay. All proposed developments shall be in accordance with the Birds and Habitats Directive, Water Framework Directive and all other relevant EC Directives.316
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.