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 17 | Towns and Villages to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community. The Town Centre First policy document includes a series of key priorities and actions which collectively will create framework to support towns to achieve the desired outcomes and deliver on their own unique vision. As a first step, a pilot scheme to develop town centre masterplans for selected towns across the country including Sixmilebridge in County Clare, has been initiated. Funding has been provided for the delivery of these masterplans and it is envisaged that they will provide a vision for the development of the town, building buy-in from existing property owners and the local community. The masterplan will include a detailed study of the area and will identify key projects/actions to further the realisation of the vision. The masterplan will subsequently provide a basis for the town to seek support from multiple funding streams, including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will help to maximise State investment, and will offer an opportunity for the delivery of a coordinated programme of investment for the area, rather than funding being sought and spent on individual projects on an ad-hoc basis. The Town Centre First masterplan is currently underway for Sixmilebridge, with locations and programming of further Town Centre First masterplans to be identified at a future date. 17.2.2 Town and Village Centre Vibrancy A vibrant town/village centre that provides a variety of services and functions is essential in any settlement and a strong retail sector coupled with a mix of business, social and residential uses contribute to the health of the settlement. Due to societal restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic some of these sectors have faced unprecedented challenges resulting in related issues for town and village centres. However, as we emerge from the pandemic there will be opportunities to enhance the vibrancy and vitality of the town and village centres across the county. The needs of each town and village are different and require interventions such as public realm enhancement works, retail health checks and vacant site surveys in order to tailor actions to their individual needs. Chapter 7 of this plan sets out the development objectives to support the retail sector across the county. Development Plan Objective: Town and Village Centre Vibrancy CDP 17.1 It is an objective of the development plan: a) To support the development of the national ‘Town Centre First’ principle to aid in the development and coordination of regeneration, revitalisation and growth in vibrancy of our towns and villages; and, b) To carry out public realm enhancement works as well as retail health checks, vacant site and derelict site surveys and other essential research and analysis to inform the actions407
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages required to support town and village centre renewal and development projects across County Clare. 17.2.3 Town and Village Improvement Strategies Clare County Council has strong relationships with local communities and other relevant stakeholders and, resources permitting, will continue to use an inter-departmental and multidisciplinary approach to further these relationships and to prepare improvement strategies for towns and villages across the county. These actions, plans and strategies will be prepared to achieve the physical enhancement of the public realm in areas that have been identified as most in need of improvement. Ennis 2040 An Economic and Spatial Strategy has the potential to stimulate the economy, transform the quality of life and enhance the environment of Ennis. It will inform and drive the economic, social and physical development of Ennis as an investment location and a place to live. The Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project, which is part funded through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) is an example of a large-scale public realm project. The Shannon Town Centre Masterplan has been prepared and part-funded through the URDF. Ennistymon has also been granted funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Destination Towns Funding Programme with significant public realm works delivered. In addition, Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Development Guidelines for Tourism Destination Towns’ publication provides a framework to support communities and local authorities and sets out the key drivers of what makes a town appealing to the international visitor. Other actions undertaken to date to revitalise existing centres include the preparation of ‘Towards a Better Kilkee – A Town Improvement and Economic Development Strategy 2014-2024’, feasibility studies for Cappa, Corofin and Ennistymon and the inclusion of co-working digital hub facilities in Ennis, Corofin, Ennistymon, Feakle, Kilrush, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Cross and Caran. Development Plan Objective: Town and Village Improvement Strategies CDP 17.2 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To work with all relevant stakeholders to prepare improvement strategies for areas identified as being in need of enhancement during the lifetime of this plan; and, b) To support the preparation and implementation of Tidy Towns Environmental Improvement Strategies for towns and villages in County Clare.408
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages Development Plan Objective: Shannon Town Centre CDP 17.3 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To support the delivery of improvements and enhancements to Shannon town centre to create a sense of place, to upgrade the public realm and promote redevelopment; b) To support the development of a Shannon town centre masterplan. This plan shall be subject to the Appropriate Assessment process and/or the implementation of this plan shall be subject to the appropriate environmental assessments including Appropriate Assessment as required by Objective 3.3; and, c) To support investment in the review of the Shannon Green Infrastructure Plan and its resulting projects. The Shannon Green Infrastructure Plan shall be subject to the Appropriate Assessment process and/or the implementation of resulting projects shall be subject to the appropriate environmental assessments including Appropriate Assessment as required. 17.2.4 Town Teams Town Teams are generally comprised of key stakeholders who are representative of the business and civic interests of the town centre and can support regeneration and enhance the economic development of town centre areas. The role of the town team is to prepare and implement a plan to achieve a healthy town centre in its area. The plan must clearly express the vision for the town, the actions required and who is responsible for each element of implementation. The plan must take account of ‘internal factors’ affecting the town and external factors such as the state of the economy. It must also contain performance indicators or a means of assessing if the plan is working and to determine if modification is required. The Town Team approach, which is a collaborative approach to identifying priorities within towns and planning for their future is now in place in Ennistymon, Kilrush and Scariff. The409
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages work of such teams has the potential to assist in the appropriate consolidation, renewal and regeneration of settlement centres. Development Plan Objective: Town Teams CDP 17.4 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To work with the existing town teams established in Ennistymon, Kilrush and Scariff and such teams when established in other towns across the county during the lifetime of the plan. 17.2.5 Regeneration and Development Funding The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2030. It aims to deliver more compact and sustainable development, through part-funding regeneration and rejuvenation projects in cities and large settlements. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support job creation in rural areas, address depopulation of rural communities and support improvements in our towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas. Clare County Council has been successful in securing funding from these sources for projects such as Ennis Town Centre Public Realm Regeneration Project, Lahinch Seaworld and Town Upgrade Project, Vandeleur Estate restoration works, Loop Head lighthouse refurbishment, Inis Cealtra Island design works and Doolin Pier Masterplan. The Council will continue to seek part-funding for projects in County Clare from these funding sources during the lifetime of this plan.410
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages In addition to these funding sources the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is an initiative under the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development 'Realising our Rural Potential' designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages and is coordinated by Clare County Council. The Council seeks expressions of interest annually with regard to projects which may be eligible to apply for this funding stream. Development Plan Objective: Regeneration and Development Funding CDP 17.5 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To identify projects and progress competitive bids for urban and rural projects in the county from the National Urban and Rural Regeneration and Development Funds during the lifetime of this plan; and, b) To seek expressions of interest annually for projects which may be eligible to apply for funding through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. 17.2.6 Opportunity Sites A series of Opportunity Sites have been identified in the towns and villages across the county, the redevelopment of which would make a significant positive contribution to the settlement in which they are located. This contribution can be from either a physical or economic perspective. They have been identified for one or more of the following reasons: • The redevelopment of the site is central to the achievement of the overall vision of the settlement; • The redevelopment of the site has the potential to create a significant number of jobs; • The redevelopment of the site would provide a space for business/activities not currently available in the town; and, • The site represents a gap in the fabric of the townscape in the given settlement and its redevelopment would make a significant contribution to the overall appearance and amenity of the area. Details in relation to each Opportunity Site and the potential future uses for which they have been identified are set out in the relevant settlement plans contained in Volume 3 of this plan. Opportunity Sites can be in either public or private ownership. Sites in public ownership generally comprise of under-utilised public spaces or civic buildings that offer the potential for enhanced local amenities and also improvements to the public realm. Sites in private ownership are most commonly premises or sites in key locations within the settlement with significant future development potential.411
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages Development Plan Objective: Opportunity Sites CDP 17.6 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To work with all relevant stakeholders on an ongoing basis to secure the successful redevelopment of identified Opportunity Sites; and, b) Subject to resources, to provide technical assistance/guidance to support the redevelopment of Opportunity Sites. 17.2.7 Addressing Vacancy Town and village centres are dynamic entities and temporary/short term vacancy can often form part of the natural cycle of development and growth. However longer-term vacancy, which can be caused by various socio-economic factors or physical constraints, can become problematic, particularly if the properties are not maintained to a high standard whilst vacant. Building vacancy in towns and villages has become increasingly prevalent, resulting in the demise of the historic vibrancy and vitality of town and village centres. The re-use and regeneration of these buildings are essential catalysts for transforming the capacity and potential of these settlements. It is important to secure a beneficial use for vacant properties in the plan area in order to ensure that they do not fall into disrepair and begin to have a negative impact on the appearance of their environs. It is also important to ensure that there is a strong mix of uses in town centres, including residential uses. In order to stimulate economic and social activity in towns and villages the Council will continue to identify areas where long-term vacancy is an issue and to assist in examining the reasons for vacancy and work in cooperation with landlords and occupiers to secure appropriate regeneration. In accordance with NPF objectives NPO16 and NPO35 the Council will target the reversal of decline in the centre of towns and villages through sustainable targeted measures that address vacant premises and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes. Development Plan Objective: Town and Village Centre Vacancy CDP 17.7 It is an objective of the development plan: a) To facilitate a co-ordinated and proactive approach to address vacancy in the plan area, including liaising with owners, identifying barriers to use and examining design solutions proposed by owners to resolving identified difficulties; b) To facilitate/promote the alternative beneficial use of vacant property where the proposal will not negatively impact on the amenity of adjoining properties, the environment or movement/transport in the area;412
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages c) To continue to identify vacant Council-owned buildings and enterprise spaces in settlements in the county and work to maximise occupation of existing vacant buildings and brown field sites; and, d) To target the reversal of rural decline in the core of small towns and villages through sustainable targeted measures that address vacant premises and deliver sustainable reuse and regeneration outcomes. The repopulating of vacant residential properties in town and village centres can provide an opportunity to improve the vibrancy of towns and villages. Residential uses in town centres ensure that areas remain vibrant outside of traditional business hours and also ensure more sustainable living patterns, reducing the need for motorised transportation. Activating these vacant units and achieving effective density and consolidation is an objective of the Council and a requirement of both the NPF and RSES. Residential uses in town and village centre areas are discussed in greater detail in Section 5.2.2 of this plan. 17.2.8 Addressing Depopulation Depopulation is recognised as an issue in numerous towns and villages throughout the county, particularly in more peripheral areas. Clare County Council will work in coordination with local communities in towns and villages to address barriers to the revitalisation and growth in these areas. Development Plan Objective: Addressing Depopulation CDP 17.8 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To work in coordination with local communities in towns and villages to address barriers to revitalisation and growth in these areas. 17.2.9 Lands Identified as Areas On Which the Vacant Site Levy Can Apply Under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, local authorities are required to produce a Vacant Sites Register, since 1 January 2017. This is a register of lands in the Council’s administrative area that are suitable for housing but have not been put forward for development. Sites included on the register are subject to the Vacant Sites Levy. The levy is intended to encourage the development of vacant sites and to reduce land hoarding. The Vacant Sites Levy may be applied to all identified ‘Regeneration’ land and ’Residential’ land in the land-use zonings of this plan. ‘Residential’ land is identified as applying to the following zonings: • Existing Residential; and, • Residential.413
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages Regeneration of land and buildings in need of development and renewal throughout the county is a central objective of this plan, as set out in Objective CDP 17.9. In addition, ‘Regeneration Land’, as defined under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, is identified as applying to the following zonings: • Mixed Use; • Neighbourhood Centres; • Tourism; and, • University Zone. The specifics of each land use zoning objective are included in Chapter 19 of this plan and should be read in association with this section. Clare County Council has implemented the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015, through the establishment of a Vacant Sites Register, identifying sites to which a vacant site levy can be applied. The Council will proactively engage in identifying suitable vacant sites on lands zoned residential which meet the criteria for inclusion in the Vacant Sites Register. This will be achieved through a focused application of the levy, facilitating sustainable urban development and bringing vacant sites and buildings in urban areas into beneficial use. Development Plan Objective: Lands Identified as Areas On Which the Vacant Site Levy can Apply CDP 17.9 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To identify areas for development and renewal that are in need of regeneration, in order to prevent: • Adverse effects on existing amenities in such areas, in particular as a result of the ruinous or neglected condition of any land; • Urban blight and decay; • Anti-social behaviour; or • A shortage of habitable houses or of land suitable for residential use or a mixture of residential and other uses. b) To implement, where appropriate, the provisions of the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015; and, c) To facilitate the proportionate growth of appropriately designed development in rural towns that will contribute to their regeneration and renewal, through interventions in the public realm including the provision of amenities, the acquisition of sites and the provision of services.414
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages 17.2.10 Derelict Sites A Derelict Site is any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the lands in question. Derelict sites throughout the county are listed in the Derelict Sites Register. The Council recognises that derelict sites are damaging to the environmental and visual quality and amenity value of the areas in which they are located and that their improvement/upgrade is desirable. The Planning Authority will encourage the reuse of existing derelict sites where this will result in positive environmental, visual and amenity benefits for the town/village and will seek, where possible, to provide the framework within which improvement can take place. Development Plan Objective: Derelict Sites CDP 17.10 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To use all mechanisms available to it as appropriate and to work with Derelict Site owners to identify opportunities to bring derelict sites back in to use; b) To use the Derelict Sites Act 1990 where appropriate to require owners of derelict property to carry out suitable improvements, and to implement the provisions of the Act to prevent or remove injury to amenity arising from derelict sites; c) To prepare improvement plans and design briefs for larger derelict areas incorporating an Invasive Alien Species Management Plan if deemed necessary; and, d) To seek to acquire properties which are appropriate to the Council’s Capital Programme in order to carry out improvements to derelict sites and revitalise the surrounding areas in compliance with the objectives and requirements of the Habitats Directive and in a manner which protects other sites or habitats of national, regional or local importance. 17.2.11 Town Centre Infill Sites The redevelopment of town and village centre infill sites has the potential to significantly contribute to the overall appearance of the surrounding area whilst also ensuring vitality and the beneficial reuse of town centre lands. These sites offer excellent development opportunities for compact growth in key locations and can be suitable for either commercial or residential development or a mixture of uses. However, their redevelopment can face challenges in terms of site area and the potential requirement to retain existing structures on site and the Council will liaise with the relevant stakeholders through mechanisms such as the pre planning consultation process to assist in resolving these issues.415
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 17 | Towns and Villages Development Plan Objective: Town and Village Centre Infill Development CDP 17.11 It is an objective of Clare County Council: a) To encourage and support the redevelopment of infill sites in town and village centres for residential, commercial or a mixture of uses; and, b) To provide guidance to potential developers to support the reuse of key town and village centre infill sites. 17.2.12 Tidy Towns and Community Groups The majority of the improvement and enhancement works that take place in the towns and villages is undertaken by communities across the county who carry out work throughout the year to enhance the appearance of their local areas. The strong spirit of volunteerism and community pride is evident for all to see and has helped to make County Clare an attractive visitor destination and place to live. There is a broad range of groups and organisations involved in promoting and enhancing the appearance of towns and villages in the county and their on-going work is reflected in the number of successes achieved in competitions such as Pride-of-Place, Entente Florale and Tidy Towns. Clare County Council acknowledges the extent of the work and pride taken in the enhancement of villages and towns across the county and will endeavour, over the lifetime of the plan, and resources permitting, to provide guidance/advice to community groups involved in improving the appearance of their town/village. The Council will also work through the Local Economic and Community Plan and the Public Participation Network to support community groups working to improve their area. Development Plan Objective: Community Activity CDP 17.12 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To encourage and support the work of community groups in the maintenance, enhancement and renewal of towns and villages across the county in line with objective CDP 3.3.416
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.