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 3 | Core Strategy projections. The majority are currently accommodated in hotels and therefore there is a need to provide housing units to cater for their needs in the short to medium term. 2. The preliminary 2022 Census results show an additional population of 1,000 in 2022 in County Clare over and above the NPF Implementation Roadmap population projection. This figure includes for only a portion of those additional displaced people from Ukraine (to April 2022) that are resident in County Clare, but also incorporates a higher natural growth level. Proposed South Clare/University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) The Core Strategy Table identifies an allocation for the proposed South Clare/University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) which is yet to be. Its housing allocation is 181 units. The full extent of the potential delivery of the proposed SDZ is seen as a medium to long term project of regional and national importance. In this regard the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Guidance Note on Core Strategies, Section 4 provides scope for such excess, allowing development plan core strategies to consider later phases of development in SDZs as part of a strategic land bank. The progression of development at the SDZ lands will be kept under review and given consideration at the Review stage of the Clare County Development Plan 2023 – 2029. That Review process will commence during 2026. Phasing It is not considered appropriate to impose phasing on the development of lands which are located within or contiguous to the existing built-up area of settlements. The imposition of further phasing could lead to uncertainty in the market which may impact the delivery of development at suitable locations identified for growth. Compact Growth In accordance with the National Strategic Outcome of Compact Growth, the National Planning Framework requires 50% of all new housing in the Limerick City suburbs (in County Clare) to be within the existing built-up footprint of the suburbs, through the development of brownfield and infill sites and revitalisation. Across the rest of the county, 30% of all new homes are to be provided within the existing built-up footprint of settlements and this is reflected in the Core Strategy Table. The compact growth portion is to be achieved in Mixed Use lands within and contiguous to town centres. The remaining housing is to be achieved on residentially zoned sites. Strategic Residential Reserve Strategic Residential Reserve lands have been identified across serviced settlements to facilitate longer term growth needs across the county. These lands comprise infill or contiguous sites or in some cases there is an on-site planning history of residential use. These lands are considered as the most appropriate sites for the long-term sequential expansion of67
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy the relevant settlement. These Strategic Residential Reserve lands, in general, will not be brought forward for development within this plan period, however non-residential development may be considered if it is appropriate to the site context. Consideration may also be given to development of some Strategic Residential Reserve lands for housing before the end of the plan period. In its assessment of proposals for residential development on Strategic Residential Reserve lands, the Planning Authority must be satisfied that the development of Residential zoned land is progressing faster than expected and a shortage of available lands may arise, or that Residential zoned land is not being brought forward as expected and a shortage may arise, which would hinder the delivery of residential units to meet demand during the plan period. The assessment will also be subject to compliance with the Core Strategy, and that the development permitted will not prejudice the future use of the remaining Strategic Residential Reserve lands for the longer-term growth needs of the plan area. The residential development of such lands will only be considered from the beginning of year four of the plan (April 2027) to give an opportunity for zoned land to be brought forward for development. It will also be a requirement that the Strategic Residential Reserve lands can be serviced and can offer a reasonable substitute in terms of being delivered within the lifetime of the plan, that they are sequential lands within the settlement with good connectivity and access to services and amenities. Development Plan Objective: Core Strategy CDP 3.1 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To support the delivery of the Core Strategy in accordance with the Table 3.6 Core Strategy Table and the Map 3A Core Strategy. Development Plan Objective: Supply of Zoned Land CDP 3.2 It is an objective of Clare County Council: To ensure that sufficient land continues to be available to satisfy the housing requirement of the County over the lifetime of the plan.68
- Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy Table 3.6 – Core Strategy Table69
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy 3.4.3 Settlement Hierarchy and Strategy All the policies and objectives of this plan flow from and are consistent with the higher level national and regional policies and strategies. The Core Strategy set out in Table 3.6 above identifies the relevant housing supply targets and housing land requirement for each of the settlements in the Settlement Hierarchy. These housing supply targets and land requirements are reflected in the settlement plans set out in Volume 3 of this plan and should be used as a framework for the provision of water and wastewater services in the county. Strong settlements are the mainstay of a strong county. Vibrant and viable settlements that provide a range of jobs, services and housing choice not only create the basis of strong economies and communities but also support a greater range of sustainable modes of transport, both within and between settlements. The development of a range of settlements that work together to the benefit of the county and all its inhabitants, including those in rural areas, can only occur in a planned way. The main tool for achieving this is a Settlement Strategy based on the Core Strategy which will enable the proper planning and sustainable development of towns, villages and rural areas coupled with an essential transition towards a competitive, low carbon climate resilient and sustainable mobility future. The Settlement Strategy for County Clare is outlined in full in Chapter 4 of this plan. It gives effect to the NPF and the RSES and will act as a guide to the location and scale of new development. There is a clear link between the Settlement Hierarchy and the role of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area and the Key Town of Ennis, the population target for the county, housing supply targets and residential land requirements for each settlement in the Settlement Hierarchy. Additionally, in order to achieve balanced county-wide growth, the Settlement Strategy was prepared having regard to the capacity of individual areas to accommodate growth; jobs to resident workers ratio, availability of road, rail and air transport; availability of water and wastewater services; availability of education facilities; and the requirement to revitalise rural areas. Regard was had to the SEA and AA processes. Moreover the Settlement Strategy is consistent with the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines (2020) and RPO 27 of the RSES while responding to the specific rural typology of County Clare. The Rural Settlement Strategy set out in Chapter 4 of this plan identifies two types of rural areas – ‘rural areas under strong urban influence’ and ‘other rural areas’. These areas were classified based on analysis of each Electoral District against a range of criteria including: • Commuting flows to the main employment locations of Ennis, and the Limerick- Shannon and Galway Metropolitan areas; • Population change; • Population density; • Environmental and landscape sensitivities; and,70
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy • Development pressure for single rural dwellings over the past 10 years. The settlement policy for rural housing in both of these categories of area is set out in Chapter 4 Urban and Rural Settlement Strategy. 3.4.4 Retail Planning The objectives regarding the management of retail development in County Clare are contained in Chapter 7 Retail of this development plan and in Volume 7 Clare Retail Strategy. Clare County Council’s designation of settlements in the Settlement Hierarchy and the retail policies of this plan are informed by the defined retail hierarchy and align with estimates of the requirements for future retail floorspace provision as set out in the Clare Retail Strategy. The objectives in Chapter 7 of this plan further translate the retail policies as identified in the Retail Strategy for County Clare. In accordance with the DECLG Retail Planning Guidelines (2012), this plan: a) States the elements of the settlement hierarchy in line with the RSES and the Core Strategy; b) Outlines the level and form of retailing activity that is appropriate to the various components of the settlement hierarchy; c) Defines, by way of maps, the boundaries of the core shopping areas of town centres and the location of any neighbourhood centres; d) Includes a broad assessment of the requirement for additional retail floorspace; e) Sets out strategic guidance on the location and scale of retail development to support the settlement hierarchy; f) Identifies sites which can accommodate the needs of modern retail formats in a way that maintains the essential character of the shopping area; g) Includes objectives to improve accessibility in retail areas, create pedestrian and cyclistfriendly town centres and to improve the retailing experience through public realm interventions; and h) Identifies relevant development management criteria for the assessment of retail developments. 3.4.5 Housing Strategy Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, requires all planning authorities to include a housing strategy in any development plan. National Policy Objective 47 of the NPF requires each local authority to prepare a ‘Housing Need Demand Assessment’ (HNDA). A HNDA is defined in the NPF as a database to allow local authorities to run a number of different scenarios to inform key decisions on housing need and supply. A HNDA is designed to give broad, long-term estimates as opposed to precision estimates. Volume 8 of this plan comprises the Housing Strategy and the Housing Need Demand Assessment for County Clare and is given effect in this development plan by objectives contained in Chapter 5 Housing.71
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy 3.4.6 Climate Action Climate Change has an increasing role to play in how the county is planned in the future. The plan has a critical role to play in ensuring the communities develop having regard to sustainable infrastructure networks which build resilience to climate change. The plan seeks to integrate land use and transport planning to influence travel behaviour and to reduce the overall need to travel. This is achieved by promoting a more efficient land use pattern where suitable land uses are located closer together and by promoting high quality urban permeability. The plan further supports energy efficiency and energy security. 3.4.7 Economic Strategy This plan also sets out policies and objectives in support of the economic development of the county in particular in Chapter 6 Economic Development and Enterprise. The strategy provides for a concentration of new economic and employment development primarily within the main towns to bring balance across the county and improve the level of employment choice, while also ensuring there are lands zoned to provide appropriate scaled employment opportunities in smaller settlements. In addition, Ennis 2040 An Economic and Spatial Strategy is a long-term strategy for the sustainable development of the Key Town of Ennis and addresses the measures required to manage economic, infrastructural, environmental and physical challenges. Working in partnership with local stakeholders such as the Ennis 2040 DAC, the Clare Economic Taskforce, the Chamber of Commerce and local and semi-state agencies, Clare County Council, through its Economic Development Directorate, its Local Enterprise Office and its Economic Development and Enterprise Strategic Policy Committee, will proactively pursue further economic development opportunities for the county to enhance the conditions that foster enterprise and create and sustain jobs. The Council will proactively foster and develop relationships recognising the county’s clear strategic position on the Atlantic Economic Corridor and proximity to Galway City, Limerick City and Shannon International Airport, whilst also building on the connection between towns and the surrounding rural areas within the county. 3.4.8 Core Strategy and relevant Environmental Assessments This Core Strategy has been informed by the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and the Appropriate Assessment, which were undertaken as parallel processes in tandem with each stage of the development plan preparation. In addition, the implications and requirements of the Floods Directive in relation to flood risk assessment and management and the requirements of the Water Framework Directive as regards protecting and enhancing water quality, particularly with regard to securing the objectives of the River Basin Management Plan, have been incorporated into the plan, thereby ensuring full integration and consideration of environmental issues throughout the plan-making process.72
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy Volume 10 comprises the SEA Environmental Report, Natura Impact Report and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). Each of the development plan objectives and settlement plans is in compliance with the outcomes of the SEA, AA, and SFRA processes. The objective to comply with the Water Framework Directive is stated in CDP 11.26 and CDP 11.27, while the objectives contained in Chapter 15 ensure that AA and SEA requirements are incorporated into the implementation of the development plan and settlement plan policy as well as any subsequent local area plans. In addition, objective CDP 15.3 requires, where appropriate, that all plans and projects comply with the requirements of the Habitats Directive. Climate change considerations have been integrated throughout the preparation of the plan, in particular, into the SFRA and the objectives contained in the Chapter 2 Climate Action. The reduction of energy demand and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of a low carbon economy is an underlying principle throughout the plan and is also dealt with in detail in the Clare Renewable Energy Strategy and Clare Wind Energy Strategy (Volumes 5 and 6 of this plan). In accordance with the provisions of Section 10(1D) of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, the development objectives in the development plan are consistent, as far as practicable, with the conservation and protection of the environment. Development Plan Objective: Appropriate Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment CDP 3.3 It is an objective of the Clare County Council: a) To require compliance with the objectives and requirements of the Habitats Directive, specifically Article 6(3) and where necessary 6(4), Birds, Water Framework, and all other relevant EU Directives and all relevant transposing national legislation; b) To require project planning to be fully informed by ecological and environmental constraints at the earliest stage of project development and any necessary assessment to be undertaken, including assessments of disturbance to species, where required together with the preparation of both statutory and non-Statutory Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA); c) To protect, manage and enhance ecological connectivity and improve the coherence of the Natura 2000 Network; d) To require all proposals to ensure there is ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity within developments; e) To ensure that European sites and Natural Heritage Areas (designated proposed NHAs) are appropriately protected; f) To require the preparation and assessment of all plans and projects to have regard to the information, data and requirements of the Appropriate Assessment Natura Impact Report, SEA Environmental Report and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report contained in Volume 10 of this development plan; and73
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy g) to require compliance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and support the implementation of the 3rd Cycle River Basin Management Plan (and any other iteration during the lifetime of the plan). 3.4.9 Core Strategy Map Delivery of a plan-led settlement strategy in line with the integration of services, transport, infrastructure, economic activity, development of natural resources, while preserving the natural environment and amenities is a critical component of this development plan’s Core Strategy. The Core Strategy Map (Map 3A) demonstrates how the county works with respect to the main geographical areas, the Settlement Hierarchy and existing transportation, energy and communication, together with its relationship to adjoining regions. All motorway, national, secondary and primary routes as well as regional roads are shown and named, including the proposed Shannon Bridge Crossing in Killaloe which will provide a direct link between the East Clare area and the M7 motorway network. The Ennistymon Inner Relief Road and Bridge Crossing (Blake’s Corner) is displayed. The route of the proposed Limerick Northern Distributor Road (LNDR) is also shown. This road, when developed, will give enhanced access to the University of Limerick and help to foster stronger economic connectivity between County Clare, Shannon International Airport and the University of Limerick. In addition the proposed South Clare/University of Limerick Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) is shown. The objectives in relation to access to National Routes, prepared in line with the Spatial Planning and National Roads – Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012 are contained in Chapter 11. The Western Rail Corridor is also highlighted. The Killimer-Tarbert ferry is identified as a critical ferry route and provides a means of waterborne transport in the West of Ireland. Moneypoint and Ardnacrusha and associated power lines are critical elements of the state electricity generation and supply network. Shannon International Airport provides global connectivity into and out of the county and region. The relationship and linkages of all these key elements are shown in the wider context of the smaller settlements in the county, the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area, Key Town of Ennis and the wider Atlantic Corridor. 3.5 Conclusion The objectives that will deliver on the Core Strategy are outlined in the chapters that follow. Firstly, the Urban and Rural Settlement Hierarchy and Strategy for County Clare is outlined, and this is followed by a chapter on housing which sets out how the housing needs of the people of County Clare will be met during the lifetime of this plan. Chapters 6 and 7 address economic development and enterprise, and retail development, respectively. Chapter 8 outlines the framework for rural development and natural resources. The county’s tourism industry is an important part of the economy in County Clare and is dealt with in Chapter 9. The concept of healthy and sustainable communities is built on in Chapter 10 which deals with community development and support for the provision and enhancement of social infrastructure. Chapter 11 deals with physical infrastructure, environment and energy.74
- __________________________________________________________________________________ Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 3 | Core Strategy The sustainable future development of the Shannon Estuary is addressed in Chapter 12. Chapter 13 relates to a similar theme and deals with the important issues of marine and coastal zone management, including coastal flooding and future development in coastal areas. The management and enhancement of the landscape, biodiversity, natural heritage and green infrastructure, and architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage is the focus of Chapters 14, 15 and 16, respectively. The enhancement and future growth of towns and villages throughout the county is addressed in Chapter 17 whilst promoting quality in the public realm, placemaking and built environment is the focus of Chapter 18. Chapter 19 sets the framework for more detailed settlement plans and land-use zonings in the county. Finally, Chapter 20 sets the context for the implementation and monitoring of the plan whilst also setting out the mitigation measures necessary to ensure that implementation does not have a negative impact on the environment of County Clare.75
No text on this page — it is probably a drawing, a map, a photograph or a scanned page. See it in the PDF.
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.