your participation is crucial Clare County Development Plan 2022–2028 Issues Paper Preamble
The County Development Plan sustainable development of our County for the benefit of all its citizens up to 2028 sets out an overall strategy and comes at a time of change globally, for the proper planning and nationally and locally. sustainable development of The County Development Plan making the County over a six year process includes periods of public consultation. period. Clare County Council We encourage you as individuals, the is commencing the process communities and organisations you of preparing the new County represent, schools, businesses and Development Plan for the period stakeholders to become involved and help us plan for the future of County Clare as a 2022-2028. place to live, work and visit. The County Development Plan is the single Clare County Council has put this Issues most important policy document for the Paper together as the first stage in the plan County as it represents an agreed economic, making process to stimulate debate on what social, cultural and environmental blueprint are some of the priority issues for County for the future planning, growth and Clare over the next six years and beyond. development of County Clare. These are set out under a number of broad headings in this booklet, but they are by no The preparation of the new County means exhaustive. Development Plan will be a key strategy document for the future planning and At this early stage, we are looking for your input on these and other broad strategic issues that need to be looked at to inform participation your the new Clare County Development Plan at this early stage in 2022-2028. the plan preparation “This is the start of a 99 week plan-making process during which the public will have a process so that number of opportunities to participate and we is crucial welcome people’s early participation in this the final plan can address statutory process”. Councillor Mary Howard, Cathaoirleach collective aspirations our We look forward to your valued participation for County Clare. at this and future public consultation stages. Pat Dowling, Chief Executive, Clare County Council Councillor Mary Howard, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council
2 What is a County Development Plan?
The County Development Plan Every six years a Planning Authority is legally obliged to make a new County Development sets out the overall strategy Plan which must set out the strategic spatial for the proper planning and vision and future direction for the County. sustainable development Clare County Council is now commencing of the County over a 6 year the process of preparing a new County Development Plan 2022-2028 which is a two period and must align with the year statutory process. national and regional framework There are various stages involved in the of strategies, polices and preparation of a Development Plan. This guidelines. current stage is Stage 1 ‘Pre-Draft’ and includes the preparation of an Issues Paper.
We are here Stage 1: Pre-Draft Public Chief Executive’s Direction from Preparation Consultation Report on Public Elected Members of Draft (Issues Paper) Consultation of the Council Development Plan
Stage 2: Draft Public Chief Executive’s Consideration of Prepare any Development Consultation on Report on Chief Executive’s Material the Draft Plan submissions Report by Amendments to Plan Elected Members the Draft Plan of the Council
Stage 3: Amendments Public Chief Executive’s Consideration of Adoption of New to Draft Consultation Report on Chief Executive’s Development on Proposed submissions Report by Plan Development Amendments to Elected Members Plan the Draft Plan of the Council
3 Issues Paper
This is your plan Your opinion matters play your part
The purpose of this Issues Paper is to draw attention to broad It is essential areas which the Development Plan covers and encourage a to have your say conversation and stimulate from the very start debate and thinking on the key topics concerning the future development of County Clare, which is and to promote and support your involvement at this stage. right now! With your active involvement and guidance the new County Development Plan can reflect the needs and ambitions of all communities in County Clare to create a more attractive, inclusive, competitive and sustainable county. We really want to hear from you about what you believe the main challenges are for the County in the future.
4 EU, National Local Legislation & Authority Policy
Volume 1
gov.ie/2040 Project Ireland 2040 Regional Spatial & Local Economic & National Planning Economic Strategy EU Directives Framework for the Southern Region Community Plan Clare County Development Plan
Programme mark (Used for endorsement) Programme with explicit government text 2017–2023 Written Tionscadal Éireann Rialtas na Tionscadal Éireann Statement Project Ireland hÉireann Project Ireland (LECP) Government 2040 of Ireland 2040
Tionscadal Éireann Rialtas na Tionscadal Éireann Project Ireland hÉireann Project Ireland Government 2040 of Ireland 2040
Tionscadal Éireann Rialtas na Tionscadal Éireann Project Ireland hÉireann Project Ireland Government Planning Legislation 2040 of Ireland 2040 Housing Strategy
Tionscadal Éireann Rialtas na Tionscadal Éireann Department of Housing, Project Ireland hÉireann Project Ireland Planning and Local Government gov.ie/2040 Government 2040 of Ireland 2040
Ministerial Guidelines National Regional County Retail Strategy Planning Spatial and Development Framework Economic Plan & Government Policy Capital Programme (NPF) Strategy Local Area (RSES) Plans Climate Action Capital Programmes Adaptation Strategy
Context of the Plan The diagram above illustrates the position of (National and Regional Policy) the Development Plan in the Irish planning The Government recently published Project system hierarchy. Ireland 2040 (National Planning Framework This Issues Paper is the first step in the and National Development Plan 2018- preparation of the new Development 2027). Clare now forms part of the Southern Plan. The County Development Plan must Regional Assembly. be consistent with national and regional The Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy policies, guidelines and objectives. (RSES) came into effect on 31st January 2020 and includes the Limerick – Shannon Metropolitan Area which encompasses Shannon as a key Metropolitan Area Town. Shannon will be a key economic driver within the Metropolitan Area and will accommodate significant job and population increases within the lifetime of the new Clare County Development Plan 2022-2028. We are looking for
Throughout this your opinion Issues Paper, a series of Key Questions will be posed in boxes to assist you in your considerations.
5 Developing a unique identity and building on the strengths of County Clare
Growing the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Living in the future Town of Shannon, and how it will be the Key Town of different Ennis and other settlements throughout the Living sustainably County to achieve without compact growth compromising future generations
Reducing our carbon footprint Accommodating the and achieving the needs of an ageing Key national target of population zero emissions by 2050 Providing sufficient physical and social challenges infrastructure to Improving mobility support economic and accessibility development and to for all, within and enhance our quality through the County of life face! in a sustainable we manner Building on the provision of high Promoting town quality employment and village and economic centre vibrancy opportunities and vitality with at appropriate multi-functional and sustainable uses including locations entertaining, living, gathering, shopping etc.
Delivering a balance between social and private housing
6 What is your vision The Vision for for County Clare? Do you agree with the What kind of place County Clare vision in the current would you like County Development Plan or Clare to be in 2028? The vision for County Clare in the current how would you like to Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 is for: see it change? ‘A county that has maximised its unique Is the current Clare County Development characteristics, strengths, location and What are the key Plan 2017-2023 easy connectivity to become Ireland’s centre characteristics that to access, read and understand? of culture, tourism, heritage and the define County Clare as a good place to live, Can it be improved? preferred international destination for work, visit and invest sustainable investment and innovation. and how should they be treated in the new How can Ennis as a Key A county in which citizens, visitors Development Plan? town and Shannon as and all stakeholders are empowered part of the Limerick- Shannon Metropolitan and supported by public bodies under Area continue to develop How can County the leadership of a professional, as the key drivers of Clare contribute to the economic growth in development of the responsive and progressive local County Clare and Mid-West Region? government system’. within the region?
7 What makes an attractive residential environment?
The Core Strategy of the Clare County Development Plan is to ensure that the Council identify and reserve an appropriate amount of land in the right locations to meet housing and population targets. Under the Planning and Population Development Act 2000, as amended, a Core Strategy focuses on defining a settlement and Housing hierarchy for the County that is consistent with the National Making provision for housing the Planning Framework and the citizens of County Clare in sustainable Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy. communities is a key function of the The County Development Plan County Development Plan. will in turn support the Core Strategy through a range of policies and objectives to support services and the provision of appropriate infrastructure in areas identified for growth.
8 Population of County Clare, 2016 118,817 Population How and where can change County Clare provide for the housing needs of all groups, including older people, people with disabilities, the How best can we ensure homeless, etc.? the vacant houses in the rural areas are brought 2011–2016 2006–2016 into use? 1.4% 7.1% How can we encourage the provision of house Population Population older types in our towns How should we protect gender and younger and villages for all life environmentally stages? sensitive areas of the County?
How can we encourage innovation and new How do we achieve a types of houses which good balance between deliver on peoples’ single rural housing and preferences, in a the creation of viable females males over 65 under 15 sustainable manner? towns and villages? 50.5% 49.5% 14.9% 21.5%
9 ell ar our anore Ballyvaughan Current Settlement Hierarchy for County Clare, Slieve Elva Clare County Development Plan 2017-2023 The Burren Lisdoonvarna COUNTY TOWN/HUB Carron o ton Doolin Linked Gateway Cliffs of Kilfenora u er la mount Moher Service Towns l anny l na oy llanena Slieve Aughty all nruan Small Towns Coro n Ca er Whitegate Ennistymon/ annor Lahinch uan Large Villages Crusheen Feakle Mountshannon