Clare County Development Plan 2005

ADOPTED Draft Plan 2004 50.00 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

Submissions should be made in writing by the 11th June 2004 to :

The Secretary Clare County Council Planning Department New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare

e.mail [email protected] FAX 00353 (0)65 6869403 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Foreword

The Draft Clare County Development Plan has been prepared in accordance with the steps set out in the Planning and Development Act 2000 as set out in Table 1 below. It was presented to the members of Clare County Council on the 15th December 2003 and a notice published for public consultation on 13th February 2004.

The Draft Clare County Development Plan has been made available to the public and to various statutory bodies for consideration. Submissions and observations on the draft plan can be made up to the 11th June 2004.

This is the next step in a two year process that started in March 2003 and should result in the final development plan for the county in place in February 2005 to replace the current development plan.

This plan sets out in draft form and as concisely as possible the Planning Authority's current thinking on planning policy until 2011. It should also bring into clear focus all of the important planning issues that will be subject to discussion during the remaining steps of the process.

Challenges for the Development Plan 2005 - 2011

The key challenges for the Plan are: a) Stimulating the growth of a balanced settlement structure to create centres of population to facilitate efficient use of resources and to attract inward investment. b) Increasing equal opportunities for all for access to society, employment, education, housing, community services and facilities throughout the county. c) Stopping the decline of rural communities. d) Improving the quality of urban living. e) Increasing the protection and conservation of the Natural and Built Heritage. f) Reducing the congestion on and improving the safety of the road network. Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

Table 1 Steps in the Preparation of a County Development Plan Publication of Notice of intention to review County Development Plan 1999 ¦ Receipt of public submissions ¦ Preparation of Managers Report on the submissions ¦ Consideration of Managers Report by members of the Planning Authority ¦ Preparation of a Draft County Development Plan ¦ Adoption and Publication of a Draft County Development Plan ¦ We Are Here in the Process ¦ ¦ Receipt of public submissions ¦ Preparation of a Managers Report on submissions ¦ Consideration of Managers Report by members of the Planning Authority ¦ Preparation of report for Proposed Amendments ¦ Adoption of Proposed Amendments ¦ Publication of Proposed Amendments ¦ Preparation of a Managers Report on submissions ¦ Adoption of County Development Plan Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Guide to the Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

What is the Development Plan

This plan shows how Clare County Council as the Planning Authority using its powers under the Planning Acts will encourage investment through development of land in the county and guide and permit development that will fulfil its development objectives.

This plan starts by saying what it is the Planning Authority wants to see happen through the physical development of land in the county. It has 24 objectives that it believes will deliver its development strategy.

These objectives cover a wide range of some issues required to be included in the plan by law and others to cover issues the Planning Authority think are important for the county.

To achieve these objectives it is necessary for the Planning Authority to adopt policies that deal with the opportunities for development that are proposed by others and to assess the Council’s own development needs.

These policies are arranged under topic headings and are supported by an explanation of why they are needed and how they will operate.

The policies indicate what approach the Council will take in managing change brought about through the development and use of land in the county. They provide the broad strategic approach the detail of which is provided for all towns and villages through a series of local area plans.

Much of the detail of how development will take place and where is covered in a series of Local Area Plans that cover the whole of the county. These are written to conform with this plan and include detailed statements about each settlement and maps showing the boundaries and zoning of land.

What Use is the Plan to Me ?

If you are living or operating a business outside of the county and are interested in developing a business, home or a living in the county then the development plan will tell you about the current use of land and how changes in that use of land will be managed to bring about the sustainable growth of the county.

It will show you how different settlements relate to each other and what infrastructure is present to support future growth. It will tell you what action the Council will be supporting to achieve the expressed views of those living in the county and others who have an interest in future change.

If you are looking to carry out a specific development, it will tell you in general terms what the Planning Authority’s response is likely to be and why. Detailed information about the boundaries of settlements and the zoning of land for development is contained within the Local Area Plans. Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Contents Part A Page Number Vision Introduction 1

A Development Strategy Strategy 3 Development Objectives 3 Policy Context 5 Sustainable Development 7 Rural Development 7 B Settlement Strategy Population Trends 11 Settlement Hierarchy 13 Linked Settlements 13 Settlement Strategies 16 C Infrastructure Water Services 21 Waste Management 22 Transport 23 Integrated Transport Strategy 23 Pedestrian Links and Cycling 24 Coaches, Buses and Taxis 24 Air Transport 25 Rail Transport 25 Water Borne Transport 26 Road Transport 26 Signage 29 Parking 30 Roadside Services 30 Communications 31 Energy 31 Electricity 31 Gas 32 Wind Energy 32 Safeguarding Amenity 34 D Economic Development Introduction 35 Tourism 35 Industrial Development 38 Commercial Development 39 Retail Development 40 Minerals and Aggregates 41 Agriculture 43 Aquaculture 44 Forestry 45 E Environment 47 Natural Resources 47 Environmental Impact Assessment 49 Coastal Zone Management 49 Landscape 50 Natural Heritage 52 Built Heritage 53 Town and Village Centres 55 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

Page Number

F Housing 59 Housing in Settlements 60 Housing outside Settlements 61 Traveller Accommodation 64 G Comunity Services and Facilties 65 Health Care 65 Education 66 Child Care Facilities 66 Community Centres 67 Residential Homes 67 H Recreation and Amenity 69 Open Spaces 70 Public Footpaths 70 I Development Guidelines 71 Car & Cycle Parking Standards 72 J Development Contributions 75

Tables

Table 1 Population Predictions 11 Table 2 Housing Requirements 59 Table 3 Industrial Development Strategy 40 Table 4 Commercial Development Strategy 41 Table 5 Retail Strategy - Shopping provision 43 Table 6 Services and Facilities - Population Thresholds 68

Maps following page number Map 1 Plan Area and Local Plan Boundaries 2 Map 2 Ennis/Shannon/Limerick Economic Corridor 10 Map 3 Rural Housing Areas 62 Map 4 Wind Energy Strategy 34 Map 5 Vulnerable Landscapes 54

Part B Map 6 Development Plan Map at end of document

Part C

Appendix One Strategic Environmental Appraisal Appendix Two Scenic Routes Appendix Three Boundaries of Settlements not adopted in Local Area plans Appendix Four Record of Protected Structures Appendix Five Architectural Conservation Areas Appendix Six Documents used in the Preparation of the Draft County Development Plan Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

The Vision of the Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

The vision for County Clare which underlies this plan has the following elements:-

Every person will have an opportunity to reside within the area in which they have been born or raised.

Every person will have high quality stable employment available to them at a location convenient to their place of residence.

Every community will have available within it a network of community and service facilities which will ensure the sustainability of the community in the long-term.

Every community will have available within it a high-quality water supply and appropriate means of disposing of waste including domestic, commercial and industrial.

The natural resources of the county will be preserved and protected and the Planning Authority will adopt a pro-active approach to achieving a balance between the social, economic and environmental requirements of the present and future generations.

The natural resources of the county will be protected in a manner which will ensure that the county continues to be a pleasant place in which to live and a rewarding place to visit, and where appropriate will be enhanced by careful development.

There will be a safe, efficient and comfortable network of roads organised in an appropriate hierarchy in order to ensure safe passage throughout the county for those on foot and in vehicles.

The archaeological and architectural heritage of the county will be appreciated and will be protected by ensuring that it is not damaged either by its own decay or destruction or by unsympathetic developments nearby.

The needs of the marginalised and the disadvantaged will be accommodated in all aspects of the development of the County.

The natural habitats of the county will be protected in a manner consistent with their interest, rarity and importance.

The quality of the air and water in the county will be protected and improved and will not be damaged by the uncontrolled emission of polluting materials.

The population of the county will be distributed in a balanced way so that the population decline will be reversed in those areas where it has occurred.

The urban fabric of the rural areas will be protected and enhanced, and the function of the county's smaller towns and villages will be preserved.

The character of the towns and villages of the county will be protected while acknowledging that change is inevitable and that the modern era must also leave its mark in time.

The needs of visitors to the county will be catered for in a manner which ensures that their stay is enjoyable, that they contribute to the well-being of the county and that they do not impose undue adverse impacts on the county's environment.

The traditional character of the rural landscape will be protected with change occurring in a considered and managed way.

The importance to the well-being of the county of agriculture and of other primary industries, and of the agricultural communities and the communities of the Atlantic coastline will be acknowledged.

Communities will be enabled to participate to as great an extent as possible in the determination of their own futures and that of their people. Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Title

1.1.1 This Development Plan shall be titled the Clare County Development Plan 2005 (the Plan).

1.2 Legal Status

1.2.1 This Plan is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (the Act). Upon adoption, it will supercede the existing, Clare County Development Plan 1999.

1.2.2 In preparing the Plan, particular attention has been paid to European and Government legislation, policy and guidance.

1.3 Previous Plans

1.3.1 This Plan provides the replacement for the existing Clare County Development Plan, adopted by Clare County Council in 1999 and subsequent variations.

1.3.2 The Plan has been prepared taking into account the development plans of Ennis and Kilrush Town Councils and of the surrounding counties of Galway, Tipperary North, Kerry and Limerick including Limerick City.

1.4 Period of the Plan

1.4.1 The Development Plan covers from the period of its adoption in 2005 and, in accordance with the Act, will be valid for six years from the date of adoption by Clare County Council, subject to any review, variations or extensions or alterations made in the future.

1.5 Purpose of the Development Plan 1.5.1 The purpose of the Plan is to: - Develop objectives, policies and proposals for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area; - Provide a detailed and consistent framework for the use of land and the control and regulation of development that will guide planning decisions; - Provide a basis for co-ordinating public and private development throughout the area; - Give local communities the opportunity to participate in planning choices about where development should be accommodated within the area; and - Inform local communities how their interests will be affected for the period up to 2011. 1.6 Planning Area 1.6.1 The Plan area (as illustrated in Map 1) extends across the county with the exception of Ennis Town and Kilrush Town and the District Electoral Divisions of Clareabbey, Doora, Spancel Hill, Kilraghtis and Templemaley which are within the area of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2003.

1 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

1.7 Monitoring and Review 1.7.1 The Plan cannot foresee all future problems and needs. The Planning Authority will therefore ensure that the Plan is subject to regular monitoring and review as necessary. It is a requirement that the Planning Authority make a Plan every six years. The Act provides for a progress report after two years and that not later than four years after the making of a Plan, that it shall be reviewed and a new development plan proposed. 1.8 Implementation

1.8.1 The Planning Authority has the general duty to take such steps within its powers as may be necessary for securing the objectives of the Plan.

1.8.2 Implementation of the Plan will be supported through the adoption of Local Area Plans for South, West, North and East Clare, by the application of development control powers and a combination of proactive public and private sector investment as appropriate and available. Usually, it is not possible to specify the exact means and time-scale of implementation. Where information is available in relation to specific proposals it is given in the relevant parts of the Plan.

1.9 Format of the Plan

1.9.1 The Plan comprises three parts:

- Part A of the Plan comprises a written statement, tables and diagrams presenting the preferred strategy for future development of the Plan Area and the objectives and policies for realisation of this strategy. Policies are distinguished from the rest of the text by use of Bold text and an explanation and justification for its inclusion accompany each policy.

- Part B of the plan will comprise the proposals map at a scale of 1: 250000

- Part C of the Plan comprises appendices containing information and guidelines supporting the objectives and policies within the written statement and maps.

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A Development Strategy

1Strategy

1.1 The Planning Authority’s strategy is to encourage and facilitate the balanced growth and sustainable development of the county. This will be achieved through the provision of development opportunities in key settlements that are: accessible to the whole of the population; supportive of the economic growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor; able to provide a good environmental quality for visitors and residents alike.

1.2 In areas recognised as being structurally weak rural comunities will be supported by an open and welcoming policy towards rural housing to encourage people to permanently settle in those areas and its rural towns and villages

1.3 To implement this strategy the Planning Authority has identified development objectives in the Plan that will be supported by planning policy and deliver to the vision of the Plan.

1.4 The Planning Authority will take the specific needs of disadvantaged groups into consideration in the development and implementation of its planning policies.

1.5 The Planning Authority will through local public consultation prepare and adopt Local Area Plans for the whole of the county to provide planning policy that is relevant to those local areas. The Local Area plans will provide policies and settlement statements and zone land in settlements for development according to the objectives of this Plan and illustrate that zoning within their proposals maps.

1.6 The Local Areas Plans will be consistent with the development objectives of this Plan and where there is difference between this Plan and a Local Area Plan this Plan will take precedence. The Local Area Plan areas are illustrated in Map 1.

2 Development Objectives

Objective 1 To encourage and facilitate the sustainable economic growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick Corridor through the growth of key aviation, marine, rail and road infrastructure to develop the area as a focus of growth in the Mid West Region

Objective 2 To encourage and facilitate the sustainable economic growth and regeneration of the rural areas of the County to improve access to employment and a wide range of services through support for key transport infrastructure, the development of towns and villages and support for dispersed rural communities.

Objective 3 To work in partnership with others to identify measures and mechanisms for the regeneration of rural areas in continuing population decline and to progress the implementation of these measures and mechanisms where possible.

Objective 4 To ensure that the objectives of the development plan integrate the planning and sustainable development of the County with the social, community and cultural requirements of the area and its population through the objectives and policies of the Local Area Plans.

Objective 5 To support the development and enhancement of towns and villages that can provide for the needs of existing rural populations, the regeneration of areas of continuing population decline and sustain the economic growth of the region. 3 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

Objective 6 The Planning Authority will prepare Local Area Plans for North Clare, East Clare, the South Clare Economic Corridor and West Clare that will comprise policies, settlement statements and plans to be at all times consistent with the objectives of the development plan and provide for the zoning of land in settlements. In the event of any inconsistency between the development plan and the local area plans the objectives of the development plan will prevail.

Objective 7 In bringing forward the growth and development of the County, to conserve and where possible enhance the natural resources of the county including water, land, air, the natural heritage, the built heritage and the cultural heritage, provide for sustainable growth for the needs and benefits of future generations.

Objective 8 To identify, conserve and protect habitats, sites and species of natural and archaeological interest including Nationally and Internationally designated habitats, sites and species.

Objective 9 To conserve, protect and where possible enhance the landscape character of the County as a natural asset in its own right and as a resource for the support and promotion of the sustainable economic growth and quality of life in the County, including those views and prospects and amenities of places and features of natural beauty and interest whose protection does not conflict with development necessary to sustain rural communities.

Objective 10 To conserve and protect national monuments and protected structures listed in the Record of Monuments and Places and the Record of Protected Structures.

Objective 11 To identify, designate and preserve the character of Architectural Conservation Areas.

Objective 12 To identify and promote the opportunities and benefits of reusing, and facilitate the redevelopment of, vacant, derelict or obsolete developed areas or buildings in rural and urban areas to bring them into positive and beneficial uses to support the development strategy of the plan.

Objective 13 To progress a programme of investment in roads, piers, harbours, coastal erosion measures, flood management, water services, and waste management to develop, upgrade and refurbish infrastructure to support sustainable economic growth of settlements according to their requirements and their role in the settlement strategy of the Plan. Objective 14 To encourage and facilitate the investment by agencies and service providers in infrastructure programmes to support sustainable economic growth and development of the county through the provision and improved access to : - an integrated transport network, based upon Ennis and Shannon airport; - the Shannon Estuary; - an improved rail network; - communication facilities; - energy generation and energy distribution facilities; including renewable energy.

Objective 15 To encourage and sustain a diversity of employment opportunities and identify and promote opportunities for inward investment in tourism and commerce, in towns and villages throughout the county at levels appropriate to the availability of human resources, natural resources and infrastructure.

Objective 16 To encourage the sustainable use of natural resources for the provision of a potable water supply, the extraction of minerals and aggregates, the planting of forestry and the production of energy.

Objective 17 To promote and facilitate the growth of the tourism product through the integration of tourist facilities, including sites, attractions and recreational and leisure infrastructure, identification of locations for appropriate developments, the conservation of landscape and the conservation of the natural and built environment. 4 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Objective 18 To promote and facilitate the location and establishment of industrial, commercial and retail developments throughout the county by the identification and servicing of sites and the appropriate zoning of those sites in Local Area Plans.

Objective 19 To work with the Health and Safety Authority to control the development of sites and development in the vicinity of sites where the possibility of the occurrence of major accidents has been identified.

Objective 20 To ensure that a sufficient and suitable supply of residential land including land for special, social and affordable housing is identified in the Plan and zoned in Local Area Plans to meet the requirements of the Housing Strategy.

Objective 21 To provide appropriate accommodation for the needs of transient and settled travellers and to identify and zone lands in Local Area Plans for that purpose.

Objective 22 To work with the Education and Health agencies, Clare Community Forum, community service providers and community groups to identify and facilitate the equitable provision of services for the community.

Objective 23 To preserve and where possible enhance the quality and character of urban and rural areas through the identification and zoning of land as open space and the provision of access to and protection of existing amenities including recreational amenities.

Objective 24 To adopt a development contribution scheme to identify the quantity and distribution of contributions towards an adopted capital works and refurbishment programme for public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the county and to make equitable provision for community facilities, open spaces, and amenities including recreational amenities to reflect the Plan objectives.

Objective 25 To prepare development guidelines to present standards for development in the county, the criteria for the assessment of designated sites and areas, guidance on the design of buildings and the layout of sites and those matters needed to be taken into account in the development of infrastructure projects.

3 Policy Context

National Spatial Strategy

3.1 The National Spatial Strategy is a twenty year planning framework designed to deliver balanced social, economic and physical development between regions. It provides strategic planning guidance for a range of Government policies and regional and local plans. It is a national plan and the development plan is required by Section 9 of the Planning and Development Act to be consistent with it, in so far as is practicable.

3.2 Within the National Spatial Strategy County Clare is identified as being within the Mid-West Region comprising County Clare, County Tipperary North and Limerick City and County.

3.3 The National Spatial Strategy presents key concepts as the tools implementing the strategy. These concepts are potential, critical mass, gateways, hubs, complementary roles and linkages. To ensure consistency with the National Spatial Strategy these concepts will be referred to as appropriate throughout the Plan.

3.4 Gateways have a strategic location nationally and relative to their surrounding areas, and provide national scale, social and economic infrastructure and support services. The Limerick/Shannon area is identified as a linked gateway and its further development is seen as a key component of the National Spatial Strategy. 5 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

3.5 Ennis is identified as a Hub, a large town that has a supporting role for the gateway and in turn a role in energising the smaller towns and rural areas within its sphere of influence.

3.6 Implementation of the National Spatial Strategy will be through the preparation of regional planning guidelines and the preparation of integrated spatial planning frameworks such as the Limerick Planning Land Use and Transportation Strategy for the Limerick/Shannon area.

Limerick Planning Land Use Transportation Strategy for Greater Limerick

3.7 The Limerick Planning, Land Use and Transportation Strategy for Greater Limerick is a strategic plan prepared by Clare County Council, Tipperary North County Council, and Limerick City and County Councils. Its purpose is to guide and co-ordinate the planning and control of land use developments and the investment in and operation of transport systems within a significant part of the Mid-West Region focussed on the Limerick/Shannon gateway.

3.8 The Planning, Land Use and Transportation Strategy identifies strategic issues that need to be considered in the future planning of the region. The issues for County Clare focus upon the growth of Shannon Airport, the development of a West Coast Rail Corridor, the development of a road network improving links between Limerick and Galway, the provision of a northern distributor road around Limerick and a new bridge crossing over the Shannon to the north of Limerick City.

Integrated Strategy for the Social Economic and Cultural Development of Clare

3.9 The County Development Board Strategy provides, under the head of Spatial Planning, a Spatial Development Policy for the County which will support the decentralisation of public service agencies to identified growth centres throughout the County. These growth centres at Ennis, Ennistymon, Killaloe, Kilrush, Scarrif and Shannon are based upon functional areas in the County.

3.10 Spatial Planning in the Strategy has as its objective the balanced and equitable spread of development across the county to support the viability of rural populations. It seeks to achieve this through the Spatial Development Policy, the implementation of the County Development Plan and local area plan policies, rural retail business strategies, the provision of social and affordable housing and the use of town renewal schemes.

Integrated Transport and Communication Network

3.11 A strategic approach needs to be adopted to facilitate and promote the growth of the Limerick/Shannon gateway and the Ennis hub through the provision of adequate infrastructure to support the settlement and movement of an increased population; the development of areas offering employment; and the integration of that growth with the wider transportation and communication infrastructure.

3.12 The rural areas of North and West Clare depend upon good access to the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor and Shannon airport to support the economic diversification necessary for future economic growth and the viability of rural settlements.

3.13 The Planning Authority through the preparation of the South East Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan have put in place a policy framework to support an integrated transportation and communication network consistent with the objectives of the previous county development plan for the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor.

6 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 4 Sustainable Development

4.1 Sustainable development is at the heart of the National Spatial Strategy with the need to make best use of natural resources, bring jobs closer to where people live and ensure a high quality natural and built environment.

4.2 The Plan in balancing sustainable development with the social, community and cultural requirements of the county recognises that the dispersed nature of rural settlement in County Clare cannot readily address those principles of sustainable development that seek to reduce private vehicle journeys to access employment, education, services and facilities that provide for a good quality of life.

4.3 The Planning Authority will seek to create equal opportunities for employment, housing, services and facilities by locating them within a hierarchy of dispersed rural towns and villages thereby reducing the need to travel. This strategic approach recognises the need to bring rural communities through a period of social, economic and cultural change that may not appear sustainable by urban standards but offers a more secure future where new economic patterns may build upon a network of rural settlements to sustain not only a viable economy but also a range of viable services, facilities and public transport.

4.4 To this end the Plan will encourage and support innovative ideas for the establishment of employment opportunities and the provision of access to services and facilities such as community transport schemes, innovative employment projects and primary health care centres.

5 Rural Development

5.1 The National Spatial Strategy recognises that the weaker agricultural base and the weak urban structure in the north and west of the county have led to depopulation and economic decline. The long- term answer is seen in the strengthening of structurally weak areas and in particular the villages and towns in these areas. County development plans and county strategies are encouraged by the National Spatial Strategy to contain policies of reinforcing weaker settlements to create more attractive conditions to support investment in rural development opportunities. Changes through economic diversification can be seen in North Clare and on the western seaboard. Continued support for settlement growth to act as a focus for the provision of services and facilties is a priority.

5.2 The National Spatial Strategy recognises that distinctive settlement patterns have evolved in the form of small rural settlements and that there is a need to recognise this distinctiveness while at the same time protecting valuable landscape resources and reinforcing rural communities. The development plan is seen as a means of strengthening existing settlement through appropriately scaled in-fill development whilst avoiding linear or ribbon development.

5.3 It is recognised that the structurally weak parts of the county need a strategy of revitalisation to sustain and build their economy, based upon improvement of transportation, communication and energy links to the rest of the country, enhancing access to social and other services, and improving the quality of life.

5.4 The Planning Authority through the implementation of its planning policies will address the depopulation and economic decline through the strengthening of rural towns and villages in areas of continuing decline. Within such areas Local Area Plans will zone land within towns and villages for housing, employment and other services and facilities.

5.5 The Planning Authority will identify a settlement structure throughout the rural areas of the county. To support the consolidation and growth of settlements the Planning Authority will adopt a programme of infrastructure works and a range of measures that will be favourably considered including in-fill, shared waste water treatment systems and the identification and servicing of sites in rural settlements. 7 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

5.6 The Planning Authority recognises the work being undertaken by a range of statutory and non- government organisations, community groups and council departments throughout the county to make opportunities, services and facilities available to all especially to those who are disadvantaged through location or circumstance.

5.7 The Planning Authority will identify structurally weak areas in the county that are economically and demographically disadvantaged where there is a weak farm structure, low levels of employment in manufacturing or services, a below average level of self employment outside agriculture and the lowest level of females in part-time employment. Permanent settlement in structurally weak areas will be encouraged to stop the decline in population and any future withdrawal of services and facilities.

6 Zoning of Land

6.1 The Plan recognises the need to zone sufficient land for development of settlements to provide housing, employment, services and facilities in a good quality environment. Through the Local Area Plans all settlements will be zoned for uses appropriate to their settlement strategy and place in the settlement hierarchy.

6.2 In zoning land the Planning Authority has taken into account: - submissions received in the preparation of the draft plan; - an assessment of need for housing, employment, infrastructure, industry, commerce, retail, service, facility and open space land uses in all towns and villages; - the lifetime of the plan; - existing land uses including existing undeveloped permissions for development.

6.3 Part II of the Planning and Development Act 2000, requires that plans include objectives for the zoning of land for particular purposes, in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development. To this end the following zones are identified. The principal aim of these zones is set out below: Town/Village Centre

To sustain and strengthen the area as a centre of commercial, retail, cultural and community life.

Other Settlement Land To conserve and enhance the quality and character of the area, to protect residential amenity and allow for development appropriate to the sustainable growth of the settlement.

The Countryside To provide for the appropriate development of agricultural and forestry uses. To restrict residential development and to conserve and enhance the environment, biodiversity and landscape. Residential

To reserve land for residential development.

Tourism To reserve land for tourism related purposes.

Commercial To reserve land for commercial and non-food retail purposes.

8 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Maritime To reserve land to facilitate water-based commercial and tourism related activity. Retail

To reserve land for retail uses.

Industrial

To reserve land for industrial purposes.

Community Facilities To reserve land for community and institutional, recreational and amenity purposes. Open Space

To conserve and enhance land for open space and amenity purposes.

Strategic Reserve

To reserve land for specified development beyond the plan period or in the event of appropriately zoned land not being available for that use elsewhere in the plan area.

Settlement Boundaries 6.4 Boundaries are defined for each of the settlements. The following criteria were taken into account when deciding the appropriate delineation for each settlement: - The existing character of the settlement, including the natural and built environment; and - Population forecasts for the plan period; and - Existing and, where applicable proposed, infrastructure – roads, services, community facilities etc; and - Capacity of landscape to absorb future development; and - Outcomes from consultation.

9 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

10 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

B Settlement Strategy

1.1 Over the last fifty years the distribution of settlement in the county has formed a distinctive pattern based upon access to employment opportunities. 18% of the county between Ennis and Limerick, and the Shannon estuary and the lakelands mid-east Clare, around 500km2 contains over half the population of the county and has witnessed a 40% increase in population between 1996 and 2002. This contrasts with the rest of the county where there was a 10% increase in the North and East and a decline of 1.5% in the West.

1.2 National and Regional policies will continue to see the focus for investment in the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor to sustain continued growth patterns and realise the aim of the National Spatial Strategy to support the growth of the gateway and hub that are the focus of the corridor. This will require policies safeguarding the settlement structure for that growth, to ensure that the quality of the natural and built environment and the level of social, community, transport and communication infrastructure results in a good quality of life for residents and visitors.

Population Trends

1.3 Population trends based upon the 2002 Census data are illustrated in Table 1 and predict the following growth rates.

Table 1 Population Predictions Based Upon Extrapolation of Growth Rate and Trends Over Twenty Years

1996 2002 % change % predicted change 2011 2011 actual on trend 1991 - 2002 (trends) extrap. Ennis Town 15333 18977 23.8 21463

EnnisEnvirons 6128 7193 17.4 13.1 29607 8135

Kilrush 2594 2678 3.2 -.08 2657 2764 West Clare 16601 16247 -1.5 -1.0 16081 16003

North Clare 16466 17284 4.9 3.8 17932 18130

East Clare 12568 13551 7.8 4.7 14184 14608 South Clare 24323 27403 12.7 6.7 29239 30883 Total 94013 103333 9.9 6.2 109700 113563

1.4 Extrapolating the percentage change between 1996 and 2002 a further 10% rise in population to around 113,500 people is predicted by 2011

1.5 Extrapolating the percentage change between 1991 and 2002 sees a more modest rise of 6.2% to a population of 110,000 by 2011.

1.6 Using house completion data produced nationally, the 2000 - 2005 Housing Strategy predicted a population of around 111,000 by 2002 which was in error by some 8000 persons. The strategy accounted for any over-prediction by the level of anticipated in-migration following implementation of the National Spatial Strategy. 11 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

1.7 The National Spatial Strategy was published at the end of 2002 and development policies and land use zonings were adopted in the Ennis & Environs Development Plan and the South Clare Economic Corridor Local Area Plan in 2003. If this level of anticipated in-migration is to occur over the next six years then the increase in population by 2011 could be as high as 120,000 persons an increase of 16%.

1.8 A study of house completion rates throughout the county area does not support the high level of growth predicted but would anticipate around 1000 house completions annually. This supports a predicted growth of 10% to a population of 113,500.

1.9 The distribution of this population is likely to result in up to 80% locating within the Ennis/Shannon/ Limerick corridor. To progress this the county spatial strategy based upon the objectives of the Integrated County Development Strategy will be implemented through policies within the Plan and in Local Area Plans, to distribute this increase more equitably where possible.

1.10 A hierarchy of settlements based upon this strategy will provide the direction for industrial, commercial, retail, employment, services and infrastructure investment to support the continued economic growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor and the regeneration of the rural areas focussed on the strength of their identified key towns.

CDP 1 To support the planned growth of towns and villages in County Clare there will be a general presumption that all development will be located on appropriately zoned land within settlements.

1.11 To ensure the balanced and equitable spread of development across the county proposals for development, in making locational choices, will be encouraged to recognise the status of Ennis as the county town and economic hub of County Clare; Shannon as a focus for economic growth as part of the Shannon/Limerick Gateway; the hierarchy of towns and villages throughout the county and the importance to the viability of rural communities of the major settlements of Kilrush, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Tulla, Scarrif, Newmarket -on-Fergus, Sixmilebridge and Killaloe.

1.12 In allowing for the growth of planned settlements the National Spatial Strategy suggests that well planned development that extends urban areas should not be prejudiced by prior, uncoordinated and ad hoc development of an excessive number of single houses. However to facilitate dispersed rural housing development in the open countryside and structurally weak areas development around the settlements will not be restricted.

12 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 2 Settlement Hierarchy

2.1 Each settlement in Clare has a role to play in the future growth and prosperity of the county depending upon its position within the settlement hierarchy, its existing and potential capacity for growth and its role in the planned development of the county. Support for the future growth of each settlement depends upon it fulfilling its strategy for growth and building upon its relationship with other settlements and the dispersed rural development in its area.

2.2 Ennis as the county town holds a dominant position culturally and administratively in the county. In a regional context however Shannon is of greater significance to the economic well being of the county as a major transport hub and centre of employment. In determining a hierarchy of settlements in the county the settlement strategy seeks to identify the role of each settlement to support Ennis as county town and regional hub through the growth and economic security of key towns and smaller settlements in the rural hinterlands.

2.3 In setting objectives for the expansion or controlled growth of settlements the existence of sufficient infrastructure capacity is critical. By proposing within the settlement strategy alternative strategies of consolidation, suburban or small settlement development and scattered rural development there is a recognition that where infrastructure capacity is insufficient for significant levels of growth, some level of growth is necessary, either to create a focal point for future infrastructure investment or to sustain the existing rural communities is necessary.

2.4 The boundaries of settlements not currently adopted in Local Area Plans are illustrated in Appendix 3. Until the settlements are zoned in the Local Area Plans they will be zoned as other settlement land where the objective is to conserve and enhance the quality and character of the area to protect residential amenity and allow for development appropriate to the sustainable growth of the settlement.

2.5 The settlement hierarchy whilst recognising the current role of settlements identifies their potential for a future role within the county which might raise the status of some and diminish the status of others. This is particularly the case of settlements in the open countryside as against settlements under pressure from urban generated development where the former settlements may be of greater significance in supporting their rural hinterland.

3 Linked Settlements

3.1 The National Spatial Strategy identifies the linked gateway of Shannon/Limerick seeing the complementary nature of the two as contributing to their joint strength. The complimentary roles of Limerick as a city centre with its administrative, commercial and cultural functions and Shannon as an employment centre and transport hub with its industrial and service function together offer a potential for regional growth. The same is true of key area settlements that when linked in a complimentary manner in spatial planning terms can offer a critical mass of population and economic activity to encourage economic growth to support their rural hinterlands.

3.2 The Integrated Development Strategy for Clare identified in its spatial strategy the importance of the key towns of Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Scarrif and Killaloe as a focus for growth to support their rural hinterlands. Shannon along with Ennis is within a growth corridor envisaged by the National Spatial Strategy to possess sufficient critical mass to establish the potential for regional economic growth. 3.3 This is not true of the other key towns that alone have only elements of those activities that best exploit the economic potential of their areas. Many of the rural towns of the county are looking to tourism as the key to future economic growth and offering a viable tourism package for smaller settlements is not easily achieved. The linking of these key towns with other settlements that have complimentary economic and cultural activity has the potential to provide a wider tourism product and establish sufficient critical mass for more diverse economic growth. 13 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

3.4 The Council will seek to enhance the complimentary roles of linked settlements to generate the critical mass of population and services to act as a focus for regeneration and for economic growth. Whilst Ennis and Kilrush as separate planning authorities have adopted their own development strategies, the towns of Ennistymon, Scarrif and Killaloe have not and the linked settlement approach gives them an opportunity to offer a more structured approach to the regeneration of their areas.

Ennistymon/Lahinch

3.5 Ennistymon is the main town of North Clare and has administrative and service functions that enhance that role. Regeneration of the town's urban fabric through the town renewal scheme and the activities of local development groups is offering the potential for economic growth. Improved road links to Ennis and Shannon are to come through works on the N85 and traffic improvements around the town including bypassing the traffic congestion resulting from the narrow bridge at the major road junction in town. 3.6 Lahinch is a seaside village that experienced considerable growth through the investment attracted by the Seaside Resort tax incentive scheme. It possesses a popular bathing and surfing beach and a world-class golf course. It is on the route to the Cliffs of Moher, has local attractions such as Seaworld and a variety of short stay visitor accommodation.

3.7 Whilst Lahinch is primarily a village it is close to and well connected with Ennistymon where there is a complementary offer of services and facilities. Whilst in recent years services such as the Hospital, Shannon Doc and the GAA grounds have been located with a view to making them easily accessibly from both settlements, it is essential that the towns retain their individual identities and that they do not coalesce through ribboning of development.

3.8 The potential of the linked settlement approach is that Ennistymon/Lahinch would provide a focus for the North Clare settlements, especially those on the Burren and the Atlantic coast.. Scarrif/Tuamgraney

3.9 Scarrif is the main town in East Clare and possesses a range of administrative and service facilities consistent with that role. The town has had the benefit of a town renewal scheme that has provided for the enhancement of the urban fabric. It lies on the east west route from Ennis to the Midlands and has equally good road links to both Ennis and Limerick.

3.10 Tuamgraney whilst a separate settlement is physically linked to Scarrif along the main road by the presence of FINSE, a forestry products business offering employment in the wider area. The village offers few facilities other than basic convenience shopping and limited visitor accommodation. Tuamgraney has good links to Lough Derg and access to fishing in local lakes. Extension of its visitor accommodation could increase its tourism resource.

3.11 Whilst the two settlements are apparently been joined by ribbon development, the layout and growth pattern of both allows for in depth nuclear growth albeit at different scales. The opportunities for growth in employment opportunities would increase over time with the recognition of a larger critical mass of population.

3.12 Whilst there is considerable focus in the area on Ennis and Limerick, enhancement of the employment and retail offer of Scarriff/Tuamgraney would help to establish Scarriff as the key town in the east of the county.

14 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Killaloe/Ballina

3.13 Killaloe is small town with significant appeal for development because of its proximity to Limerick and location on one of the few crossings over the River Shannon. The limitations on growth because of the towns historic settlement pattern and infrastructure deficiency have encouraged the rapid growth of the village of Ballina on the eastern bank of the river in County Tipperary. The historic importance of the abbey town of Killaloe and its location at the southern end of Lough Derg are major visitor attractions.

3.14 Ballina whilst outside the county is inextricably linked to Killaloe by the bridge and development of either town has implications for the other. The recent growth of Ballina with its good links both to Limerick and the N7 Dublin Road and its location on the Limerick/Nenagh/Ballybrophy railway corridor is likely to see consolidation of that growth over the next few years.

3.15 The need to conserve the historic core of Killaloe and the rise of land to Sleive Bernagh to the west of the town means that the town will not be able to sustain significant levels of growth. The linking of the town with its neighbour offers an opportunity to develop a quality settlement capable of capitalising on a diverse tourism product mixing cultural and historic assets with high quality landscape and recreational facilities. The limitations of the river crossing offer opportunities for a close association between the two towns not inhibited by significant traffic growth. Miltown Malbay/ Spanish Point

3.16 Miltown Malbay is a large town that serves a distinct rural hinterland. It has a well developed historic town centre that has benefited from recent investment in restoration of older and unused buildings under a Town Renewal Scheme. The town has a significant retail offer and health and adult education facilities of benefit to its rural catchment area and beyond. Its choice as a location for the development of an E-town, a unique mixed employment/residential development, will increase its role as a local centre for employment.

3.17 Its location a mile from the Atlantic coastline makes it a popular holiday destination for the wider area but in particular for Spanish Point with its beaches cliff walks and golf course. Spanish Point provides significant visitor accommodation and attractions as well as two large hotels providing conference and function venues. It contains the secondary school for the area but no village centre and relies upon Miltown Malbay for retail, community or commercial facilities.

3.18 The complimentarity of the two settlements is an existing fact which is reinforced with their acknowledgement as linked settlements. Creating a focal centre in Spanish Point and increasing the services and facilities in Miltown Malbay will offer support for its densely populated rural area.

15 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 4 Settlement Strategy

Expansion

4.1 The strategy of expansion applies to significant service centres that present opportunities for growth within recognised limitations such as scale, heritage, services and infrastructure. Such towns or large villages have either full public infrastructure provision or limited infrastructure, with improvement, enhancement or infrastructure development planned for completion within the life of the plan. The settlement strategy in such settlements is to allow the expansion of the settlement into its immediate environs and to encourage walkable communities, to SS1 bring together a critical mass of people and services with a commitment to growth and capacity building, with an extensive and modernised infrastructure. Consolidation

4.2 The strategy of consolidation applies to towns or villages with a weak or linear settlement structure or high level of town centre vacancy/dereliction. The settlement will have full public infrastructure provision or limited infrastructure with improvement, enhancement or infrastructure development planned for completion within the life of the plan.

The settlement strategy to is strengthen the urban form through built development to create a walkable community with public open spaces and sufficient services SS2 and facilities appropriate to the size and potential growth of the settlement.

Controlled Settlement Growth

4.3 The strategy of controlled settlement growth applies to towns or large villages with good settlement structure but having recognised infrastructure limitations that will be programmed for improvement or enhancement within lifetime of the plan. In such settlements opportunities for growth are limited by scale, heritage, services and infrastructure.

The settlement strategy is to identify and facilitate limited development, to conserve and enhance the existing character and special qualities of the SS3 settlement and to anticipate the delivery of adequate infrastructure for the immediate and future needs of the settlement.

4.4 The strategy of controlled settlement growth also applies to villages with a weak settlement structure and recognised infrastructure limitations that will not be fully improved or enhanced during the lifetime of the plan. Further growth will be subject to implementation of a planned upgrading of infrastructure by developers to support sustainable development.

The settlement strategy is to facilitate limited development to conserve and enhance the existing character and special qualities of the settlement, and to SS4 identify opportunities, where development occurs, to introduce elements of infrastructure to support the immediate and future needs of the settlement.

Suburban Development

4.5 The strategy of suburban growth applies to villages and significant areas of housing within the Limerick Metropolitan Area which will be developed with an acknowledgement of their physical and functional relationship to the urban core of Limerick but subject to the limitations of the road network. The settlement strategy is to recognise their future role in the Limerick Metropolitan Area and to identify the appropriate urban form and progression of SS5 development that will give them a distinctive character.

16 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Small Settlement Development

4.6 The strategy of small settlement development applies to villages with weak settlement structure or other settlement forms that have potable water services and a significant number of houses but limited services in the form of a shop, church, school or similar facility.

The settlement strategy is to limit development to the needs of the community SS5 and its immediate rural hinterland and to develop a centre for the location of services and facilities at an appropriate scale.

Scattered Rural Development

4.7 The strategy for scattered rural development applies to individual or small groups of housing and other buildings that may or may not have access to an organised potable water supply but do not have an associated service in the form of a shop, church, school or similar facility.

SS6 The settlement strategy is to limit development to permanent housing needs that support the local rural community.

Tourism and Settlement Growth

4.8 The strategy for tourism and settlement growth applies to the settlements of Bunratty, Mountshannon and Spanish Point where there is considerable tourism development and visitor accommodation but lack of a settlement centre for the growth of a permanent residential population.

SS7 The settlement strategy is to provide for the growth of a permanent residential settlement around a centre whilst facilitating the provision of visitor accommodation and other tourism developments.

17 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 Hierarchy Settlement Strategy Retail Infrastructure Area * Linked settlements Hierarchy Status

Tier One w = water s = sewerage County Town c = community facilities o = open space Ennis Expansion Level 2:1 w,s,c,o Ennis Tier Two Large Towns Ennistymon Consolidation Level 2:2/4:2 w,s upgrade needed, c North (Lahinch*) Clarecastle Expansion Level 4:2 w,s,c,o Ennis Killaloe (Ballina*) Controlled Settlement Growth Level 3:2/1 w,s,c East Kilrush Expansion Level 3:1 w,s,c Kilrush Miltown Malbay Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:1 w,s upgrade needed,c, North (Spanish Point*) Newmarket-on-Fergus Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:1 w,s upgrade needed,c,o South Scariff (Tuamgraney*) Controlled Settlement Growth Level 3:2/5 w,s upgrade needed,c East Sixmilebridge Expansion Level 4:1 w,s,c South Shannon Expansion Level 2:2 w,s,c,o South Tulla Expansion Level 4:1 w,s,c East Tier Three Small Towns Kilmihil Expansion Level 4:2 w,s,c West Killadysert Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade needed, c West Kilkee Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s,c,o West Lisdoonvarna Expansion Level 4:2 w,s,c North Tier Four Suburbs Ardnacrusha Suburban District Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c South Athlunkard Suburban District Level 5 w,s upgrade planned, c South Ballycannan Suburban District Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c South Cloonoughter Suburban District w,s upgrade planned South Gillogue Suburban District w,s upgrade planned South Gortatogher Suburban District Level 5 w,s upgrade planned South Parkroe Suburban District Level 5 w,s upgrade planned, c South Parteen Suburban District Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c South Skehanagh Suburban District w,s,c Ennis Tier Five Large Village Ballyvaughan Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c North Broadford Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c East Carrigaholt Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s upgrade planned, c West Corofin Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned, c North Crusheen Expansion Level 5 w,s North Doolin Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s upgrade planned, c North Doonbeg Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s upgrade needed, c West 18 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Kilfenora Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned,c North Kilkishen Consolidation Level 4:2 w,s,c East Lahinch * Controlled Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w,s upgrade planned North Liscannor Consolidation Level 4:2 w,s upgrade needed North Mullagh Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s upgrade planned, c West Quin Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s,c South Tier Six Small Villages Ballinruan Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s need identified East Ballynacally Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s upgrade needed, c West Ballyea Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Barefield Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c Ennis Bealaha Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Bell Harbour Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Bodyke Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s planned East Boston Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Bridgetown Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s planned South Bunratty Tourism & Settlement Growth Level 4:2 w, s upgrade needed South Caherea Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Carran Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s need identified North Clonlara Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w, s upgrade needed South Clonmoney Small Settlement Development Level 5 w South Connolly Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w West Coogyulla Cross Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Cooraclare Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s planned, c West Coorlack/Deerpark Small Settlement Development Level 5 w South Cranny Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c West Cratloe Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c South Cree Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c West Cross Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w West Crosses of Annagh Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Darragh Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Doonaha Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Drumandoora Small Settlement Development Level 5 w East Drumquin Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Fanore Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Feakle Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w, s upgrade planned, c East Flagmount Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s need identified East Inagh Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c North Inch Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Keevagh Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w Ennis Kilbaha Small Settlement Growth Level 5 w West Kilbane Small Settlement Development Level 5 w East Killanena Small Settlement Development Level 5 w East Killimer Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified, c West Kilmaley Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified North 19 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

Kilmurry Small Settlement Development Level 5 w East Kilmurry McMahon Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Kilnaboy Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Kilnamona Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Kilshanny Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Knock Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Knockerra Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Labasheeda Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s planned West Lissycasey Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w West Meelick Small Settlement Development Level 5 w,s need identified South Mountshanon Tourism & Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s,c East Moy Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Moyasta Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West O’Briensbridge Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s upgrade needed South O’Callaghans Mills Small Settlement Development Level 5 w, s need identified,c East Ogonnelloe Small Settlement Development Level 5 w East Poulawillin Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Querrin Small Settlement Development Level 5 w West Quilty Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s planned, c West Ruan Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s need identified,c North Spanish Point * Tourism & Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s planned North Toonagh Small Settlement Development Level 5 w Ennis Tuamgraney * Controlled Settlement Growth Level 5 w,s East Tubber Small Settlement Development Level 5 w North Whitegate Consolidation Level 4:2 w,s East

20 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

C Infrastructure

1 Water Services

1.1 In considering proposals for development the Planning Authority will have regard to the water services investment programme to ensure development has access to a safe and sufficient public water and sewage infrastructure. The Council will concentrate infrastructural investment and improvement in those areas where the provision of water services infrastructure will benefit development and make good serious deficiencies in existing infrastructure in line with an adopted programme of public infrastructure works.

1.2 The Planning Authority will identify the extent of and proposed development of water services in towns and villages during the lifetime of the Plan in the settlement statements of Local Area Plans. The Planning Authority will not normally permit developments which would CDP 2 put undue pressure on limited infrastructural facilities or require an undue extension of such facilities unless an immediate improvement in the provision of such services is anticipated

The Planning Authority will normally permit developments within settlements CDP 3 which make provision for the shortfall of infrastructure that would otherwise make the development premature in the absence of such services. 1.4 The Planning Authority will give consideration to development based on intermediate infrastructure arrangements in existing settlements under development pressure which are otherwise suitable for sustainable growth.

1.5 The Planning Authority will require developments providing public infrastructure to provide it at sufficient capacity to facilitate the planned growth of the settlement and to make it accessible to other developers without unreasonable constraint. Investment by developers in infrastructure beyond that required for the purposes of the development can be recovered from connection charges made to subsequent development.

1.6 The Planning Authority will give favourable consideration to the shared use of waste water treatment systems in settlements to serve developments where it can be clearly demonstrated that the system is designed to the satisfaction of the Planning Authority to allow connection to a public system when it is provided and that the criteria at paragraph 1.8 below are fulfilled.

1.7 The Planning Authority will give favourable consideration to the use of shared waste water treatment systems for developments outside settlements but in a location consistent with policies in the Plan where it can be clearly demonstrated that the criteria at paragraph 1.8 below are fulfilled.

1.8 i) Connection to an existing public system is not currently possible. ii) Environmental and planning requirements are satisfied including plant adequacy, site suitability and a suitable means of sludge and treated effluent disposal. iii) The system is upgradable to allow future developments in advance of a public system being provided. iv) The land on which the treatment plant is located is transferred to the Council when a public system is provided. v) A management company is established and an acceptable maintenance, operation and management regime is put in place and implemented. vi) Proof of purchase of the scheme is submitted to the Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development on the site. vii) Certification of adequate installation and commissioning by the plant supplier.

21 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

The Planning Authority will permit the development of single rural houses only where sufficient waste water treatment is provided to safeguard ground water CDP 4 quality and public health.

1.9 Where appropriate the Planning Authority will require the completion of a certified site assessment for the installation and operation of waste water treatment systems. The protection of ground water quality requires a careful study of sites for the location of percolation areas. The Planning Authority will look for sites to be assessed by qualified persons based upon the guidance of the Environment Protection Agency.

Implementation Zoning and Policies in Local Area Plans Development Control Water Services Section Clare County Council Waste Management

2Waste Management

2.1 A waste management plan for the Limerick/Clare/Kerry region was adopted by the Council in 2001 setting out the policy for integrated waste throughout the region for the next 25 years including the planning, regulation, collection, recycling, recovery and disposal of wastes.

2.2 The issues for planning policy raised by this strategy relate to the location of sites for the collection, recycling, recovery and disposal of wastes and to the requirements upon development to make provision for recycling facilities and prepare waste management plans for the more significant development projects.

2.3 The waste management plan identifies existing waste facilities throughout the county and then identifies additional facilities that will need to be developed specifically within the county or within the greater Limerick area which includes part of the county.

2.4 Existing facilities fall into three main areas: recycling facilities, recovery facilities and disposal facilities. At the Ballyduff Beg facility near Inagh all three operations are available comprising a waste recycling area, a waste transfer facility and a landfill.

2.5 There are 57 Recycling Bring Banks for recyclable materials spread throughout in the county. The strategy proposes that such facilities should be available at a ratio of a facility to every 1000 persons outside areas where there is a kerbside collection of recyclable materials and that some provision be made within the urban areas where kerbside collections are provided.

2.6 Kerbside collections of recyclable materials are provided in Shannon, Limerick Suburbs, Ennistimon, Killaloe, Scarrif, Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Kilkee and Kilrush.

2.7 Waste Transfer Stations are located at Scarrif, Lisdeen and Ballyduff Beg and provide for the preparation of waste for transport for recovery, treatment or disposal elsewhere.

2.8 Disposal facilities other than the Ballyduff Beg landfill site relate to the disposal of sludge primarily in landfill but to a lesser extent at sewage treatment plants such as Kilmihil and Corofin or otherwise spread on agricultural land.

22 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 2.9 The waste management plan identifies the need for future facilities for recycling, recovery and disposal of waste. Within the Greater Limerick area there is a need for a thermal treatment facility to treat residual combustible waste, a materials recovery facility for recyclables, a central treatment plant for organic wastes and a construction and demolition recycling centre that would support the economic growth of the regional gateway. 2.10 In identifying and bringing forward of suitable sites for these facilities sites, in the waste management plan the council commits itself to follow a process of community involvement including education and awareness raising and an open and transparent public consultation process.

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to support the provision of waste CDP 5 management facilities such as bring bank sites and waste transfer sites and to this end the Planning Authority will require all developments to take account of the provisions of the waste management plan.

Where appropriate the Planning Authority will require the provision of bring banks and recycling facilities as part of the overall scheme of developments. CDP 6 Planning proposals for all significant construction and demolition projects will be required to submit waste management plans and show adequate provisions for storage of source segregated waste.

Implementation Zoning and Policies in Local Area Plans Development Control Environment Services Clare County Council

3Transport

3.1 Integrated Transport Strategy

3.1.1 The Planning Authority will seek to minimise daily routine travel, maximise the proximity of people to employment and the services they require and encourage the use of alternative transport modes in settlements through the adoption of an integrated transport strategy The Planning Authority will encourage and facilitate the development of an CDP7 integrated transportation and communication network. Land required for the provision of infrastructure necessary for the development and maintenance of that network will be identified and safeguarded through consultation with government departments, agencies, developers and service providers

3.1.2 The Planning Authority recognises that to sustain the future economic growth of the county as a focus for growth in the region requires significantly greater investment in rail and air transport. Development of the west coast rail line between Cork and Sligo and a rail link to Shannon airport are seen as critical to the growth of the region and to the development of Shannon Airport as a regional transport centre. The Planning Authority supports the continued development of Shannon Airport to exploit its potential as an international airport and a significant European transport hub. In providing or facilitating the development of transportation infrastructure and CDP 8 facilities the Planning Authority will seek to integrate users of all transport modes in key settlements focussing on Ennis as the main county public transport centre and Shannon as a regional public transport centre.

CDP 9 Proposals for major developments will be required to provide an integrated transport strategy for their operational and employee transport requirements.

23 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3.2 Pedestrian Links and Cyclists

3.2.1 The settlement strategies for the larger towns and villages aim to encourage the growth of walkable communities. A walkable community is seen as one where the residents of a settlement can access services and facilities through the use of direct, safe and convenient footpaths or cycleways.

Proposals for new major development will be required to make provisions for the CDP 10 development of cycling and walking in settlements as viable alternatives to the private motor vehicle.

3.2.2 Within larger settlements identified in Tiers 2, 3 and 4 of the settlement strategy, the Planning Authority will seek to identify designated routes and other facilities for cyclists to access the centre of the settlement and any identified transport hubs.

3.2.2 In order to assemble an area-wide network of cycleways, the Planning Authority will require the provision of appropriate cycle and foot paths, including route signage, in all new major developments in Tier 2 Settlements. These will be required to link with existing networks and will be sought as a developer contribution if outside the development site.

3.2.3 Cycling and walking are environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and healthy modes of transport. They are an important means of travel to work, school, shops and other activities and their development is in line with the principles of sustainability. The overall purpose of the policy is to increase the share of travel undertaken by cycling and walking and to reduce travel by private car.

3.2.4 Promoting the development of walking may involve the provision of pedestrian areas, amongst other initiatives, together with the promotion of the Sli na Slainte (Path to Health) scheme, an initiative of the Irish Heart Foundation.

3.2.5 The Planning Authority considers it appropriate to ensure that the safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists are paramount in the design and implementation of roundabouts as part of road development and junction design schemes.

3.3 Coaches, Buses and Taxis

3.3.1 The Planning Authority will co-operate and liaise with Bus Eireann, East Clare Accessible Transport, An Post, taxi operators and other relevant transport providers and authorities to secure improvements to the public road transport system in the Plan area to provide safe and convenient access to, within and between settlements.

3.3.2 In addition to co-operating with the appropriate agencies it is the intention of the Planning Authority through the settlement statements of the Local Area Plans to facilitate the provision of other more modest improvements to the public transport system such as the provision of bus lanes, bus bays, shelters and other facilities. 3.3.3 Other than the provision of these facilities, the Development Plan policies and objectives envisage: - Increased residential development densities to encourage the development of viable and effective public transport networks; - Increased economic development and employment land uses within the Ennis/Shannon/ Limerick corridor which will assist in facilitating the maximum usage of public transport; and - The protection, free from development, of such lands as are required for the development of public transport facilities.

24 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 3.4 Air Transport

3.4.1 The Planning Authority recognises Shannon Airport as key to its current and future economic prosperity. The county relies upon the airport as the centre of the good communication and transportation links necessary to support the growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor and to increase opportunities for growth of the tourism industry.

3.4.2 The Planning Authority has identified Shannon Airport as a transportation hub for the Mid-West Region and will promote levels of investment sufficient to support its continued growth for international travel and in particular as a European transport hub for air travel.

Proposals for development will only be permitted where it can be clearly CDP 11 demonstrated that the proposal does not prevent the development of Shannon airport to fulfil its role as a transportation hub.

3.4.4 The Local Area Plan for the South Clare Economic Corridor will identify the airport safety zones adopted by the Department of Environment and Local Government where the policy will not normally permit development to take place. The Planning Authority recognises the importance of regional airfield at Spanish Point and will not normally permit development which prevents the continued CDP 12 safe use of the airfield. 3.4.6 The Planning Authority recognises the importance of providing access in the rural areas of the county to emergency health care facilities only accessible at Limerick Regional Hospital or other acute care centres. To provide access to the health services the Planning Authority will support the development of helicopter landing areas associated with local health care facilities throughout the county and will normally not permit development that would prevent their development or operation.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control Irish Aviation Authority

3.5 Rail Transport

3.5.1 The Planning Authority recognises the development of rail services as key to its current and future economic prosperity. The county relies upon the road network as its main transport infrastructure and this is not sustainable in the long term to support the growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor and to increase the opportunities for growth of the tourism industry.

3.5.2 The Planning Authority recognises that to sustain the future economic growth of the county as a focus for growth in the region requires significantly greater investment in rail infrastructure. Development of the west coast rail line between Cork and Sligo and a rail link to Shannon airport are seen as critical to the development of the Limerick/Shannon gateway and the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick economic corridor.

3.5.3 The Planning Authority welcome the investment in the Ennis Limerick rail link as a first step in upgrading the service on the West Coast line and will work with Ianrod Eireann to identify and safeguard sites for railway stations and associated parking areas to serve the populations of Shannon, Quin/Newmarket, Sixmilebridge and Cratloe. The Planning Authority will in its local area plans identify and safeguard land required for the development of rail infrastructure including bridges, stations CDP 13 and goods terminal areas necessary for the development of the Ennis Limerick commuter link, the West Coast rail corridor and the Shannon Airport link.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control : Ianrod Eireann 25 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3.6 Water- borne Transport

The Planning Authority will safeguard the continued operation of a ferry service between West Clare and County Kerry and North Clare and the Aran Islands. proposals for development that would prejudice that operation will not be CDP 14 permitted.

The inland waterways and lakes in the county are an asset for transportation, tourism and recreation. Proposals for development that would prejudice the safe and convenient operation of boating facilities on inland waterways and CDP 15 lakes will not normally be permitted.

The Planning Authority will in its Local Area Plans identify and safeguard land for development in support of all marinas, piers, harbours and slipways to ensure safe and convenient access to the water for purposes of public CDP 16 transportation, industry, commerce, sea rescue, tourism, aquaculture or recreation and restrict developments that may have an adverse impact upon their operation.

3.6.1 The borders of the Clare County are dominated by water; the Atlantic Coast, Galway Bay, the River Shannon and Lough Derg. The transport of goods and passengers by water is well established between Clare and Kerry, and Clare and the Aran Islands. The Lower Shannon estuary has the potential to offer berthing facilities and access to the land to provide for existing and future developments. Commercial fishing, aquaculture and water-borne recreational activities rely upon accessible and well maintained access points.

Implementation Zoning and Policies on Local Area Plans Development Control

3.7 Road Transport

3.7.1 An efficient road network is essential to the economic development of the County. Two National Primary Routes and three National Secondary Routes traverse the County including the N18 Limerick-Ennis-Galway road and the N19 link to Shannon Airport forming part of the National Western Corridor. Major improvements have been carried out on the National Western Corridor to which the N18 and N19 form part.

3.7.2 National Secondary Routes include the N67 which follows the Atlantic coast north/south from Ballyvaughan to Killimer, the N85 east/west from Ennis to Ennistymon and the N68 southwest from Ennis to Kilrush.

3.7.3 The Council has a Multi-Annual Roadwork Programme which is a five year plan and sets out the priority road schemes based on the importance of the road and the extent of its deterioration.

3.7.4 The Council also operates a Community Involvement Scheme which encourages a joint approach with groups of local residents and landowners for the restoration of local roads which are lightly trafficked single lane or cul-de-sacs.

3.7.5 The Planning Authority will seek to provide a safe and convenient road network for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, private and commercial vehicles and other road users.

26 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Strategic Policies

3.7.6 The Council will undertake the following programmed road improvements schemes i) N18 - Ennis Bypass ii) N85 - Western Link Road

3.7.7 The Planning Authority have identified the following key network elements as necessary to achieve the objectives of the Plan i) Shannon river crossing - Killaloe/O'Briensbridge ii) Limerick Northern Distributor Road iii) Sixmilebridge relief road iv) Ennistymon relief road v) N85 - Fountain to Inagh vi) N18 - Crusheen Bypass vii) Miltown Malbay relief roads viii) Lahinch relief road. ix) Corofin relief road x) Kilkee relief road

The Planning Authority will not permit development on land required for the CDP 17 provision of national, regional or local relief roads for towns and villages, where the scale of the settlement and the traffic flows warrant the provision of such roads. 3.7.8 The Planning Authority will safeguard routes for the improvement of national and regional routes and seek to integrate road network improvements with settlement growth. Local Area Plans will identify and safeguard land reserved for future road network improvements.

Public Road Safety Policies

3.7.9 National Guidelines state that it is Government policy that investment in national roads should be safeguarded by preventing premature obsolescence of those roads as a result of inadequate control on frontage development.

The Planning Authority , in line with National Policy, will not permit developments requiring direct access to a national primary route in an area where the maximum speed limit applies. In this context, direct access to such routes will be defined as any access other than via a public County road or Regional route. This policy will not apply to:- a) Farmers and their sons and daughters working on the land wishing to build a dwelling for their own occupancy on family land . CDP 18 b) Developments of strategic importance which by their nature are most appropriately located in a rural area and where the site in question has specific characteristics which make it particularly suitable for the development proposed. c) provided that the following conditions are fulfilled - i) No reasonable alternative site is available in the vicinity with access off a minor road. ii) No new access is created where possible. iii) No specific traffic hazard exists at the proposed site due to substandard road alignment or construction or to site conditions or configuration

27 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

The Planning Authority , in line with National Policy, will not permit developments requiring direct access to a national secondary route in an area where the maximum speed limit applies. In this context, direct access to such routes will be defined as any access other than via a public County road or Regional route. This policy will not apply to:- a) Farmers and their sons and daughters working on the land wishing to build a dwelling for their own occupancy on family land b) Agricultural, forestry or other developments with a functional rural connection. c) Developments of strategic importance which by their nature are most appropriately located in a rural area and where the site in question has specific characteristics which make it particularly suitable for the CDP19 development proposed. d) The N67 between Kilkee and the junction of the N67 with the R483 south of Quilty. e) Temporary quarrying activity related to the construction of new roads which are objectives of the Plan" provided that the following conditions are fulfilled - i) No reasonable alternative site is available in the vicinity with access off a minor road. ii) No new access is created where possible. iii) No specific traffic hazard exists at the proposed site due to substandard road alignment or construction or to site conditions or configuration.

The Planning Authority will not permit development requiring direct access onto the following routes- i) R 471 The road from Cloverhill to Sixmilebridge. iii) R 476 The road from Fountain Cross to Kilfenora iv) R 352 The road from Ennis to Scariff as far as the first road junction to Tulla v) R 463 The road from Limerick to Killaloe vi) R 462 The road from Sixmilebridge to Setright`s Cross via Cratloe. These roads link important strategic centres both within the County and outside and it is therefore critical that a safe and convenient road network exists. This policy will not apply within the development boundaries of settlements and residential clusters located on these routes, nor to the following : a) Farmers and their sons and daughters wishing to build a dwelling for their own use on family land, provided that where possible, any such CDP 20 dwelling is located in immediate proximity to an existing group of dwellings or to the original farm dwelling. This latter provision will not necessarily apply where such location would be undesirable from a servicing, traffic safety or visual amenity point of view. b) Infill sites where space exists for not more than two dwellings between existing dwellings, or between sites with permission with at least two years to run. c) Sub-division of dwelling plots to provide a dwelling for the son or daughter of the dwelling owner, for his/her own use, where such development does not give rise to haphazard backland development. d) Redevelopment of an existing site.

3.7.10 Where an exception to policy applies the Planning Authority requires that permitted development would in the first instance share existing access points onto national routes or other restricted routes to avoid the creation of any new points of access.

28 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Traffic Calming

3.7.11 The objective of traffic management, traffic calming and pedestrian priority measures is to ensure that people may travel safely by means which minimise harm to their surroundings. Traffic management includes managing the demand for access by car, improving public transport, limiting the impact of traffic and improving facilities for cycling and walking. Where traffic management schemes are proposed they will be made in consultation with the local community in those areas affected.

3.7.12 It is the objective of the Planning Authority to introduce traffic calming measures on an area wide basis, including the possibility of 20mph zones. Calming measures will only be introduced following consultations with local residents and with appropriate agencies such as the Gardai, Fire and Ambulance Services. Schemes will be designed to enhance the environmental appearance and neighbourhood strengths of residential and town centres, with an emphasis on a more creative approach to design.

3.7.13 In relation to new development proposals the Planning Authority will work with engineers and designers to ensure that road design makes its proper contribution to traffic calming from the outset.

3.7.14 In the design and improvement of roads and in the assessment of proposals for new development, the safety of road users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, will be a primary consideration. Cyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable in road accidents and new designs must pay particular attention to securing their safety. 3.8 Signage

3.8.1 The erection of any sign for the purposes of advance warning, information, direction or advertisement will only be permitted where it does not result in a danger to road users and pedestrians and where it conforms to National and County policy on signage.

3.8.2 Signing can have an influence on people's travel behaviour. The Planning Authority will encourage the use of clear and unambiguous signing and will respect a hierarchy of signing that serves the needs of the general road user, including tourists.

3.8.3 The Planning Authority will use the following Code of Practice for all non-regulatory or non- mandatory signposting throughout the county based upon the following criteria : i) All signs will conform to national policy and advice provided by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and contained in the Traffic Signs Manual ii) All signs will conform to a hierarchy of signing that leads the recipient of the information to the location being sought clearly and unambiguously. iii) Signs will be designed to reflect their place in the hierarchy, differentiation being provided through colour, shape and size.

3.8.4 With the exception of traffic route information all information at one location will normally be required to be placed on one sign which will be updated when new information is required to be displayed.

Hierarchy of Information Signing

i) First Tier - Usually located on the outskirts of towns or in advance of major road junctions. Traffic routes, centres of information ii) Second Tier - Usually located at road junctions. Car parking; centres of information; local districts; major local tourist attractions. iii) Third Tier Individual premises and attractions; car parks; community facilities. iv) Fourth Tier Advertisements and specific locational signing. Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control, Roads Section 29 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3.10 Parking

Park and Ride

3.10.1 Within the county, transport hubs exist in key towns and tourism attractions where different modes of transport interact such as at airports, railway stations, bus stations, and ferry terminals. In such locations the Planning Authority will explore the opportunities for wider integration of transport modes by identifying and safeguarding land in its Local Area Plans for car parking, cycle parking and for direct, safe and convenient pedestrian access to public transport.

3.10.2 The Planning Authority will support its integrated transport strategy by seeking opportunities for the development of park and ride facilities around key towns and transport hubs. Proposals for park and ride developments will have to clearly demonstrate that the facility can satisfactorily integrate with various transport modes and CDP 21 that the development is limited to the provision of parking and shelter areas for passengers and drivers. Car Parking

3.10.3 Public parking for coaches, cars and cycles will be required to serve the centres of towns and villages and key tourism and visitor attractions. The Planning Authority require that sufficient parking is provided for all developments. Where there is a shortfall in the provision of parking a contribution will be levied for the provision of such facilities elsewhere as laid down in the Planning Authority’s Development Contribution Scheme

3.10.4 Local Area Plans will include guidelines for the provision of parking within development sites or in close proximity to such sites in accordance with the Planning Authority's vehicle and cycle parking requirements (see page 72).

Commercial Vehicle Parking Facilities

3.10.5 The Planning Authority will allow the development of parking facilities to support commercial activity and avoid disturbance in residential and town centre areas during night-time hours. Local Area Plans will identify and safeguard sites for commercial vehicle parking where necessary. Such developments will be limited to the development of parking areas and buildings to accommodate ancillary facilities that must not exceed 100m2 in total.

3.11 Roadside Services

3.11.1 Roadside services including petrol filling stations are services associated with the use of motor vehicles and public transport on the road and should be located within settlements but outside their town or village centres.

3.11.2 Roadside services in the open countryside will only be permitted to identify a specific locational need related to unmet demand.

3.11.3 It is appropriate for roadside services to provide facilities on sites other than those with a transportation related use, but these must be of small scale and ancillary to the main purpose of the roadside service.

3.11.4 Shops and post offices associated with roadside services will normally be permitted up to the size of 100m2 but consideration will have to be taken of the additional car trips or pedestrian movements to visit the shop that could result in forecourt congestion and adverse traffic movements.

3.11.5 The Planning Authority will through policies in its local area plans facilitate the appropriate development of roadside services in each area.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans; Development Control 30 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 4 Communications

4.1 Telecommunications

4.1.1 The Planning Authority recognises the importance of telecommunications and other overground services for the future development of the County, and in particular of an up-to-date mobile communications system. The demand for such facilities must be reconciled with the need to preserve and protect the unspolit nature of the environment, the basis for the County's expanding tourism industry. It will be the Planning Authority's policy objective to allow the development of telecommunications infrastructure at locations where the least environmental damage will result, consistent with the technical requirements of the service to be provided.

4.2 ICT Infrastructure

4.2.1 The Planning Authority recognises the importance to the economic growth and social development of the county that is provided through safe and reliable access to broadband services.

4.2.2 The Planning Authority will support the continued expansion of access opportunities to the broadband network.

4.3 Communications Infrastructure Development

4.3.1 The Planning Authority will normally permit developments to support the provision of a safe and reliable communications network subject to criteria laid down at page 34 and in Local Area Plans for the protection of landscape and the safeguarding of residential and natural amenities.

5. Energy

5.1 The future sustainable development of the county is dependant on a reliable supply of energy from a variety of sources. Current energy supplies of electricity, coal, peat, oil and gas come from non-renewable resources. Responses to concerns of climate change and the sustainability of non- renewable energy make the development of alternative sources of energy an important target for the county.

5.2 The natural resources of the county offer opportunities for renewable energy sources from hydro-power, wind power, solar power, tidal and wave power. The investment necessary to make these alternative sources available requires a local application of a national plan as the integrity of the power supply must not be compromised.

5.3 Electricity

5.3.1 Moneypoint Power Station in West Clare as well as being a significant generator of electricity for the State is also a significant employer in the county. It currently produces electricity through the burning of coal which has associated environmental implications.

5.3.2 The Planning Authority supports the continued operation of Moneypoint power station throughout the lifetime of the Plan and will normally permit development appropriate to its safe use and competitiveness.

5.3.3 The Planning Authority will normally permit development to enable the production of energy from renewable resources such as wind, solar, geothermal and tidal power. The Planning Authority will implement policies in the County Wind Energy Strategy in considering proposals for wind energy infrastructure developments.

5.3.4 The Planning Authority supports the laying out of an electricity distribution network to provide access across the county to an efficient and reliable power supply for domestic and business users and for the reception of power from alternative providers. 31 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 5.4 Gas

5.4.1 Bord Gais have constructed a gas supply pipeline running north-south through the county. The Planning Authority welcome the opportunities for economic development resulting from the availability of natural gas within the county and will normally permit development necessary to facilitate its further distribution.

5.5 Wind Energy

5.5.1 The Planning Authority recognises that the county possesses considerable natural resources that facilitate the capture of wind as a renewable energy source. The Planning Authority wishes to see the sustainable exploitation of those natural resources where it is for the benefit of the county, the country and globally.

5.5.2 To guide the development of wind energy production in the county the County Wind Energy Strategy below is informed by national policy and the programmes of energy producers.

National Wind Energy Strategy

5.5.3 The Strategy for Wind Energy produced by the Renewable Energy Strategy Group published by the Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources in July 2000 recommends a more plan led approach to wind farm development. The strategy outlines a process for the identification of areas suitable for wind farm development to be adopted into the county development plan.

5.5.4 The extent to which the appropriate areas for wind energy development can be identified is dependant upon the degree of information available to the Planning Authority. This information is limited and this leads to only a partial identification of sites ranging from ‘preferred’ to’no-go’, it not being possible to identify strategic sites.

County Development Board Strategy

5.5.5 The Council in its integrated strategy for the social, economic and cultural development of County Clare has an objective to develop where appropriate the potential of alternative energy as an economic resource for the county. The objective is to be delivered through a number of actions focussed upon the development of wind energy production including the identification of sites.

Windfarm Development

5.5.6 Rural Resource Development Ltd have commissioned a report to identify strategic areas for wind farm development within the county. The Windfarm Development in County Clare Report 2003 follows the process of identification recommended in the National Strategy for Wind Energy and will be used to inform the County Wind Energy Strategy.

County Wind Energy Strategy

5.5.7 The County Wind Energy Strategy has taken into account the National Strategy for Wind Energy, the Landscape Character Assessment prepared in line with the Draft Landscape and Landscape Assessment Guidelines and the Windfarm Development in County Clare Report. The Council has also taken into account the views of the wind energy producers and developers as expressed through submissions and representations made at a consultation meeting and the issues raised by others in representations made to the county development plan review.

32 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 5.5.8 The strategy for the development of wind energy infrastructure in the county during the life time of the Plan has to be seen in the context of a longer time frame where significant areas of the county may be developed for this purpose. By 2003 no wind farms had been constructed within the county although planning permission has been granted. The Planning Authority believe it is critical for gaining public support and acceptance of the development of wind energy production that developments are completed during the lifetime of the Plan and will work with wind energy producers to achieve this.

5.5.9 In this context the strategy for wind energy during for the period 2004 - 2010 will be to identify preferred areas for wind energy development and encourage the development of these sites to facilitate the production of up to 20MW of electricity to create a focus for further development beyond the lifetime of the plan. It is the policy of the Planning Authority to seek the development of wind energy infrastructure sufficient for the production of 20MW of electricity by the year 2010 through the identification of preferred areas. CDP 22 Proposals for the development of infrastructure for the production and distribution of electricity through the harnessing of wind energy will be determined by reference to the County Wind Energy Strategy. Local Area Plans will include policies for the consideration of proposals for wind energy development in their areas. 5.5.10 The Planning Authority recognises that technological advances in the wind energy industry may make controls of the dimension or operation of wind energy infrastructure inappropriate in strategic terms. Policies in the Plan will therefore identify preferred areas where permission for wind farms of three turbines or more will generally be granted subject to conditions addressing local site specific issues and will also identify no go areas where recognised social, cultural or landscape values or other constraints make it unsuitable for wind farms to be located.

5.5.11 The Planning Authority recognises that apart from wind farms there are opportunities for local communities to generate their own wind energy through the development of one or two turbines connected to a local substation or development and such schemes will be considered favourably throughout the county on a site by site basis.

5.5.12 Map 4 illustrates the Wind Energy Strategy for the period 2005 - 2011. - The preferred areas for wind farm development in the county have been identified not only as fulfilling the criteria recommended but also as offering the highest chance of development taking place within the lifetime of the Plan. - Areas Open for Consideration identified are those where thereis no presumption infavour of windfarm development but a limited capacity what will have to be considered on an application by application basis. It is recognised that as further information becomes available other areas may be identified including those that may be considered to be strategic areas and nogo areas where constraints make it unlikely taht wind farm developments will ever be considered appropriate.. Outside these areas proposals for one or two wind turbines will be considered on their merits and to the extent to which they serve local energy needs.

5.5.14 The incremental effect of wind farms can result in significant environmental impacts both physical and visual and where such impacts occur permission may be withheld notwithstanding the proposals being located within one of the preferred areas. To avoid negative incremental effects such as an overwhelming proliferation of power lines or reduction or fragmentation of habitats to the extent that viable populations of key species present in the area can no longer exist, the Planning Authority will not normally permit wind farms to locate within two kilometres of each other and where appropriate to share infrastructure such as access roads and grid connections.

5.5.15 Where specific proposals for development are made to the Planning Authority account will be taken of the Wind Energy Guidelines 1995 produced by the Department of Environment. Where applications are submitted the Planning Authority will require the submission of a visual impact assessment and normally a full environmental impact assessment.

33 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

5.5.16 Developers are advised that pre-planning discussions with the planning authority including discussions to scope the extent of any environmental assessment are strongly recommended. Where permissions are granted conditions relating to siting, noise, landscape works, site restoration and other matters will be used to safeguard the environment and amenity of the area and in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

5.6 Safeguarding Amenity

It will be the Planning Authority's policy objective to allow the development of telecommunications infrastructure at locations where the least harm will result CDP 23 to the environment and amenity, consistent with the technical requirements of the service to be provided.

5.6.1 The Planning Authority recognises that the physical structures necessary to provide for communications and energy are by their very nature intrusive in the landscape. Every effort must be made to reduce the visual impacts of structures by the sharing of facilities between various operators and to locate them in areas that will minimise their visual impact whilst achieving the technical requirements of the industry. In most cases a satisfactory compromise can be achieved.

5.6.2 Energy distribution by poles and pylons can result in a network of poles and wires that is visually detrimental to the landscape. The Planning Authority will require developers to make every effort to locate wires and cables underground where practicable. The Wind Energy Strategy makes provision for the protection of the environment and amenity in respect of wind energy infrastructure.

5.6.2 Whilst compromise can be achieved in visual terms compromise is not an option where public health is concerned. The evidence concerning the health risks associated with telecommunications structures is inconclusive. The Council will however adopt a precautionary position in respect of these matters. Therefore whilst there is no desire on the part of the Council to thwart the industry, development proposals will not be permitted for the erection of telecommunications structures where there is a reasonable cause for concern on matters of public health resulting from the operation of the structure.

5.6.3 To give clarity to the extent of that precautionary principle, telecommunications structures will not normally be permitted to locate within 50 metres of any building where the public legally gather or reside nor to any land allocated within the plan for development that might result in the construction of such a building.

34 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

D Economic Development in the County

1 Introduction

1.1 The Planning Authority in implementing its development strategy will give favourable consideration to employment generating developments that support the economic growth of the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick corridor as the engine for growth of employment opportunities throughout the county.

1.2 The Shannon Zone is seen in the County Development Board Strategy as being the engine of economic growth in Clare. The National Spatial Strategy designation of Shannon as a complimentary partner to Limerick in the Limerick/Shannon Gateway recognises Shannon's economic role at a regional level.

1.3 The Planning Authority in focussing the growth of employment opportunities in the Ennis hub and Limerick/Shannon gateway is having regard to the policies of the National Spatial Strategy. Such an approach also provides the structural support for the continued development of traditional and emerging industries in the rural towns and villages spread throughout the county.

1.4 Outside Shannon and Ennis there is economic activity in the county in many of the towns and villages with significant employers like ESB Moneypoint in Kilrush, Data Display in Ennistymon, and Finse in Scarrif/Tuamgraney. There is a diversity of employment opportunities in the county spread amongst the traditional farming, forestry and manufacturing industries and the growing tourism, professional services, public administration, communication and commerce sectors of the economy.

1.5 The Planning Authority recognises the support that the clustering and integration of the sectors of the economy can have on the future vitality and viability of different entreprises and will balance this against the need for an equitable distribution of employment opportunities.

2Tourism

2.1 The Planning Authority recognises that the growth of the tourist industry is critical to the economy of the county. This is particularly true in the rural areas where employment opportunities are reducing and traditional employment opportunities in agriculture are in decline.

2.2 The county contains several of the most popular national visitor attractions and areas of exceptional natural interest in the country. Whilst Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher and Ailwee Cave provide a focus for visitors to the county the landscape quality of the Burren, Loop Head, the Shannon Estuary, Lough Derg and the upland hills of the Slieve Aughties, Slieve Bernagh and Slieve Callan create a diverse landscape context for both organised and independent visits to the area.

2.3 Visitors to the county also seek leisure and recreational pursuits and the county contains golf courses, fishing lakes and rivers, beaches and walking areas that offer a variety of quality activities.

2.4 The infrastructure necessary to support tourism includes the infrastructure associated with other industries such as settlements, telecommunications, roads and water services. In addition the quality and quantity of a variety of visitor accommodation and the provision of information through signing and interpretation are critical infrastructure elements.

35 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

2.5 The tourist market has changed in recent years with higher numbers of European visitors and a continuing flow of transatlantic visitors. The nature of the tourism demand has also changed with a higher percentage of independent tourists seeking the infrastructure to allow them to move freely and conveniently between attractions in the county. Independent visitors rely upon high quality information and ease of access. This has particular implications for the integration of the tourism infrastructure.

2.6 With the infrastructure in place the integration of the tourist product will enhance the visitor experience and provide a wider context for long term stays in the area. This integration requires integration of transport with stronger links within a hierarchy of visitor attractions, access to appropriate accommodation and a well signed and interpreted landscape.

2.7 The Planning Authority will work with others to achieve an integrated and co-ordinated tourism product. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the integration of tourism attractions both physically and conceptually. Proposals for development including tourism development will need to show that sufficient regard has been taken of the potential for tourism and tourism enhancement.

The Tourism Resource - Key Areas

2.8 The county has a rich and varied landscape containing a diversity of visitor attractions. The Planning Authority will pursue strategies for these key tourism areas to encourage and support growth in the tourism economy.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park 2.9 It is an objective of the Planning Authority to maintain and enhance Bunratty's role as a prime tourist destination. Its location within Ennis/Limerick/Shannon growth corridor increases its relevance to the Region.

2.10 The integration of Bunratty with other quality tourist attractions in the area such as Ennis, Dromoland, Cragganowen, Quin Abbey, Knappogue Castle and the Broadford fishing lakes is recognised as important in the wider context of the tourism product in the County.

The Burren Area 2.11 The extensive limestone uplands, coastland and turlough filled lowlands of the Burren represent a landscape of exceptional global interest. The dramatic landscape is enhanced by archaeological and ecological interest which brings many visitors to the area throughout the year.

2.12 The complexity of land uses and visitor pressures on the Burren require the preparation of an integrated management strategy if visitors are to be encouraged to extend their stay in the area. Several projects to date have addressed issues of visitor management, footpath creation, land management and conservation of ancient monuments.

Cliffs of Moher 2.13 The Planning Authority recognises the importance to our heritage of the Cliffs of Moher. It is a major international tourist attraction and requires long term management of the cliffs and the cliff top areas. The Planning Authority aims to reconcile the conflicting demands of the development of visitor facilities and the protection of the environmental quality of the Cliffs of Moher are particularly in the vicinity of the existing access area.

2.14 The North Clare Local Area Plan will take forward the policy of the County Development Plan 1999 to provide for the development of the visitor centre and its integration with other visitor attractions such as Fanore beach, the Burren and Ailwee cave and the surrounding settlements.

Lough Derg 2.15 Lough Derg forms the eastern boundary of the county and has a wealth of cultural and historical associations, recreational amenities and landscape features from the cathedral town of Killaloe to the lakeside resort of Mountshannon. A coordinated regional management scheme to invest in the range of visitor opportunities around the lake has been prepared to lead a programme of investment in key sites. 36 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Tourism Development

2.16 The Planning Authority will support and encourage the development of the tourism industry throughout the county and recognise the role of infrastructure such as roads, railways, footpaths, piers, harbours, slipways and amenity areas in the development of tourism facilities. The Planning Authority will seek to provide adequate infrastructural facilities to encourage the integration of attractions and amenities benefiting visitors and tourists at locations identified in Local Area Plans. The Planning Authority will encourage the development of integrated tourist facilities, in or adjacent to existing settlements, where such developments include CDP 24 a substantial accommodation content, reasonable provision of recreational facilities, including a substantial proportion of all-weather facilities and when they are not located in areas which will give rise to their having a detrimental impact on vulnerable landscapes. 2.17 The Planning Authority will work with others to achieve an integrated and co-ordinated tourism product. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the integration of tourism attractions both physically and conceptually. Proposals for development including tourism development will need to show that sufficient regard has been taken of the potential for tourism.

2.18 The Planning Authority will require an application for integrated tourism facilities to be accompanied by a management scheme for the maintenance of the overall development including roads, footpaths, open spaces, and services.

CDP 25 The Planning Authority will in its local area plans identify and safeguard areas for tourism development within settlements.

2.19 The Planning Authority will through its development plan and local area plan policies safeguard the cultural and physical heritage of County Clare through the identification and conservation of key tourism assets that are part of the county's tourism product. The Planning Authority will generally only permit the development of individual CDP 26 holiday homes within settlements.

2.20 Where developments propose to provide commercial accommodation for tourists and visitors to the county, the Planning Authority will encourage the location and development of facilities within settlements at an appropriate scale so as to retain a vibrancy and sustainability of those settlements when such accommodation is not occupied.

The Planning Authority will generally permit the use of houses in rural areas for CDP 27 the provision of small scale commercial visitor accommodation, where such provision does not give rise to a traffic hazard, or have a negative impact on the quality of the natural environment.

2.21 The Planning Authority wishes to protect the rural housing stock to make provision for those wishing to live permanently in the rural areas and support the local rural communities all the year round. The use of existing housing for tourism purposes will be carefully monitored.

The Planning Authority will generally permit the commercial redevelopment of CDP 28 derelict, vacant or redundant buildings to provide for visitor accommodation and tourism development. 2.22 The Planning Authority will take into account the adequacy of existing provision of tourism development, and the impact on the quality and maintenance of existing facilities, when considering applications for new developments required in the interests of tourism.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans; Development Control

37 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3 Industrial Development

3.1 The Planning Authority will seek to facilitate industrial development at appropriate scales in terms of : (a) location in or adjacent to settlements, (b) provision of adequate childcare facilities (c) an adequate transport network or (d) unique or special landscapes.

3.2 The Planning Authority in considering proposals for industrial development will have regard to the strategy for industrial location in Table 3 below

Table 3 Industrial Development Strategy Scale Settlement Hierarchy

Heavy Industry Shannon - a site specific non settlement Employing 500 + persons location if national or regional importance.

All industrial developments Tier Two Employing 500 + persons

All industrial developments Tiers Two or Three Employing less than 500 persons

Light Industrial developments Tiers One, Two, Three and Five Employing less than 500 persons

Small Industrial developments All settlements Employing less than 20 persons

The Planning Authority will encourage the development of industry on zoned land in settlements at appropriate scales having regard to : a) the settlement strategy for the county, b) the need to sustain the economic growth of the Ennis/Shannon /Limerick Corridor and CDP 29 c) the need to promote the growth of the county's Tier 1 and 2 Towns to support the equal distribution of economic growth throughout the county.

3.3 The Planning Authority in its local area plans will identify and safeguard areas for the development of industry consistent with the industrial location strategy.

3.4 The Planning Authority will seek to provide adequate infrastructural facilities, and to encourage the acquisition and development of sites for industrial development at locations identified in local area plans.

3.5 The Planning Authority recognises the value of links between educational establishments, training centres and enterprise clusters. Within larger settlements opportunities will be sought to encourage the development of enterprise units either individually or associated with other compatible land uses to act as a focus for economic growth of the settlement. Local Area Plans will identify and zone land suitable for such developments within individual settlement strategies.

38 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Major Accident Hazard Sites

3.6 A major accident hazard site is a site where the occupier has notified the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health as meeting a threshold for quantities of hazardous substances as outlined by the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000.

3.7 There are three existing major accident hazard sites within the county at Shannon and one in the Ennis environs area at Clarecastle. Local Area Plans will identify the major accident hazard sites and provide policies for the control of development having regard to advice from the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control

4 Commercial Development

4.1 The Planning Authority will seek to facilitate commercial development at appropriate scales in terms of: (a) location in or adjacent to settlements, (b) provision of adequate childcare facilities, or (c) an adequate transport network.

4.2 The Planning Authority in considering proposals for commercial development will have regard to the strategy for the location of commercial development in Table 4 below.

Table 4 Commercial Development Strategy

Scale Settlement Hierarchy

Employing 500 + people Shannon

Employing less than 500 people Tiers Two, Three and Four

Employing less than 20 people Any settlement

Home Working 3 people or less Within curtilage of an existing permanent residence.

The Planning Authority will encourage commercial development on zoned land in settlements at appropriate scales having regard to : CDP 30 a) the settlement strategy for the county, and b) the need to promote the economic growth of the Tier 1 and 2 towns to support the equal distribution of economic growth throughout the county.

4.3 The Planning Authority in its local area plans will identify and safeguard areas for commercial development consistent with the commercial development strategy. Zoning for commercial development will refer to commercial and non-food retail development unless specified otherwise in the Local Area Plans Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control

39 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 5 Retail Development

5.1 The Planning Authority adopts the Clare County Retail Strategy 2003 to provide the policy base for the facilitation and control of retail development in the county.

5.2 The Clare County Retail Strategy has been prepared on the advice of the retail planning guidelines and identifies the core retail areas of towns and villages and key objectives to sustain and improve the retail profile and competitiveness of the county within the Mid West Region and beyond.

5.3 It has amongst its objectives the need to address leakage of retail expenditure from the County and the low inflows of visitor expenditure in the County by providing the means to strengthen the range and quality of the County’s retail offer.

5.4 The retail strategy proposes a settlement hierarchy that is identified in and contributes to the settlement hierarchy presented in Chapter B. The Local Area Plans recognise the importance of this hierarchy in identifying and zoning land for retail developments within village and town centres in their areas.

5.5 The Planning Authority will implement the following policies in furtherance of the retail strategy both within the county and insupport of the Mid-West Region and in particular the Limerick Metroplitan Area which in part lies within the county.

5.6 Policies in the county retail strategy that relate to sepcific settlements will be adopted in the Local Area Plans to guide the development of those settlements. The following general policies are adopted by this plan to guide the strategic development of the retail provision in the county.

1 Re-Use and Regeneration of Derelict Land and Buildings It is the policy of the Planning Authority to encourage and facilitate the re-use and regeneration of derelict land and buildings.

2 New District and Neighbourhood Centres It is the policy of the Planning Authority to encourage and facilitate the development of new District and Neighbourhood Centres to meet the needs of new and growing centres of population.

3 Retailing in Tourism and Leisure CDP 31 It is the policy of the Planning Authority to encourage and facilitate the development of retailing within the tourism and leisure sectors.

4 Corner Shops and Smaller Villages/Crossroads It is the policy of the Planning Authority to retain, encourage and facilitate the retail role of corner shops and small villages around the County.

5 Enhancement of Towns and Villages It is the policy of the Planning Authority to encourage and facilitate the enhancement and environmental improvement of the County's towns and villages. 5.7 The county contains part of the Limerick Metropolitan Area and adopts the metropolitan area policies as set out in the retail strategy as a means of supporting the growth of the Mid-West region.

5.8. The type of retail development that is appropriate to each settlement is shown in Table 5. and will be used in considering applications for retail development.

40 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Table 5 Mid West Hierarchy - Appropriate Shopping Provision Centre High Order Middle Order Low Order Superstore Supermarket Comparison Comparison Comparison

Metropolitan Centre (Limerick) X X X X X Level 1 Main Retail Centre Major Town Centre Level 2 (M/H) X X X X X

District Centre Town Centre X X X Level 3 (M/H) Neighbourhood Centre/Small Town Village Centre X X Level 4 (M/H) Notes: M = Metropolitan Area; H = Hinterland Area

Notes 1. Comparison retailing includes clothing and footwear; furniture, furnishings, and household equipment; medical and pharmaceutical products, therapeutic appliances and equipment; educational and recreational equipment and accessories; books, newspapers and magazines; goods for personal care and goods not elsewhere classified. 2. Convenience retailing includes food; alcohol and alcoholic beverages; tobacco; non-durable household goods. A super store refers to larger supermarkets and non-food retail units up to a maximum of 3000m2. Supermarkets are smaller store formats, mainly convenience shopping, developed by larger food retailers.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control

6 Minerals & Aggregates

6.1 The Planning Authority recognises the importance of quarrying and other extractive industries to the economic life of the County and their part in providing raw material for the construction industry. It is the policy objective of the Planning Authority to facilitate the exploitation of the County's natural resources, while ensuring that the environment is as far as possible protected.

6.2 The implications of this for the extractive industry are that avoidable and irretrievable losses of natural resources should be limited, and that the overall quality of the environment affected by extraction should be preserved or improved over time, so that future generations are not disadvantaged by the activities of the present.

6.3 The Planning Authority will prepare a Minerals and Aggregates Strategy to identify the extent of the mineral and aggregate deposits and propose rates of extraction that will safeguard reserves of natural resources for future needs.

Strategy for Extraction of Minerals and Aggregates

6.4 The geology of the county offers significant aggregate resources both sand and limestone which are currently exploited at quarries throughout the county. In addition a number of mineral prospecting licenses have been issued by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources for the exploration of minerals including base metals, barytes, calcite, flourite, gold and silver. 41 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

6.5 To better manage the sustainable use of these resources the Planning Authority will work with local communities and the industry in preparing a strategy for the safeguarding of resources and the sustainable extraction of minerals and aggregates.

6.6 The strategy will address the following matters : a the identification of existing operations; b the extent of the resources; c the markets and projected levels of demands; d the management of the extraction process; e the restoration of the landscape.

6.7 The Planning Authority has information addressing certain of these matters and will use that information to inform itself when considering proposals for development that may have an impact upon the winning of minerals and aggregates.

6.8 Where the information is available, the Planning Authority will identify and zone existing quarrying operations, and lands identified by the industry to be safeguarded for future minerals and aggregate extraction, in Local Area Plans.

The Planning Authority will require proposals for development to show that the development will not result in the sterilisation of an identified minerals or aggregate resource. Proposals for development that will result in the permanent CDP 32 sterilisation of identified mineral and aggregate resources will not normally be permitted.

6.9 The aim of this policy is to safeguard existing operation and future reserves for the extraction industry. There will be occasions where proposals for temporary uses for non-residential buildings such as forestry and agricultural buildings will not compromise future access to the reserves and in those cases conditions will be attached to planning permissions to ensure such access is not unreasonably impeded.

6.10 Minerals and aggregates extraction is a long term process which cannot be implemented within the normal five year duration of a planning permission. The Planning Authority in considering proposals for development will take into account the likely timescale for the full implementation of the proposal in determining the duration of any planning permission. Proposals for the extraction of natural materials from the land will normally be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that : a) the development is phased and that each phase is restored to a viable use according to a programme of phasing agreed with the Planning Authority b) adverse impacts upon people, the landscape and the local environment are minimised c) monitoring procedures are put in place to measure environmental impacts CDP 33 d) a comprehensive scheme of landscape works is agreed with the Planning Authority and implemented before any development commences e) a local consultative group is established by the operators of the development to include members and representatives of the local community and landed interests to address operational issues impacting upon local amenity.

42 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 6.9 The Planning Authority aims to facilitate quarrying activity which is directly related to the implementation of public infrastructure projects which are objectives of this Plan. A temporary planning permission will be considered for such quarrying development provided that: (a) It is not in a visually vulnerable area or on a scenic route as defined by this Plan, (b) It does not cause a traffic hazard, (c) It does not endanger heritage items or areas which it is an objective of the Plan to preserve, (d) It does not have significant long term negative environmental impacts, (e) It is not seriously injurious to residential amenity and (f) The quarry site is landscaped according to an agreed plan at the end of quarrying (g) Conditions will be applied requiring:- (i) The lodgement of a bond to ensure appropriate site reinstatement and (ii) A financial contribution (where appropriate) towards the cost of upgrading a local road network serving the quarry site.

Implementation Zoning in Local Area Plans Development Control

Agriculture

7.1 The primary land use in the county is agricultural. Whilst two thirds of the land in the county is usuable for agricultural purposes only one third is classified in the national soil survey as being good for grassland. The result is that there are significant numbers of marginal farming areas within the county.

7.2 Farm sizes in the county are traditionally small the majority being less than 40ha. and half being less than 20ha. Changes in the farming industry have resulted in small farms becoming less viable and being managed by a reducing and ageing population of farmers. Farming in many areas is supported by other employment occasionally through farm diversification but more usually in employment not related to agriculture both full and part time in urban areas.

7.3 Where farming is remaining viable new methods have different requirements for the management of livestock and the treatment of waste. This requires different buildings and yard areas. Whilst agricultural development does not always require planning permission, the erection of agricultural buildings usually does and the Planning Authority will encourage buildings sympathetic to the landscape located in association with existing groups of buildings.

7.4 There is an important exception to this general principal and this is where the development would interfere with the character of a landscape, or a view or prospect of special amenity value or special interest the preservation of which is an objective of this Plan. This would apply to habitats, sites and species of natural and archaeological interest including nationally and internationally designated habitats, sites and species. The Planning Authority will normally permit the following : a) proposals for development where they can clearly demonstrate that they will not result in an unnecessary loss of productive farmland; CDP 34 b) agricultural developments in rural areas unless such developments would have a major negative impact on vulnerable landscapes; c) proposals for development to reuse derelict or redundant farm buildings for tourism or other economic purposes;

43 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

7.5 Farming has an important part to pay in the conservation of the landscape. To support the continuation of farming in rural areas the Planning Authority will implement policies to strengthen the structure of settlements in those areas to provide services and facilities for farming families. Such services and facilities will also bring visitors who may be attracted to use footpaths, visit sites of interest or stay for recreational pursuits in the area offering opportunities for farm diversification in the provision and management of these facilities.

The Planning Authority will give favourable consideration to proposals for farm diversification where the proposed use is part of the overall management of the CDP 35 farm.

Implementation Development Control

8 Aquaculture

8.1 The natural resource that is the Shannon Estuary and Galway Bay currently sustains an aquaculture industry and has the potential for further exploitation. The Planning Authority recognises the role that this emerging industry has in diversifying the economy of rural areas and providing employment in production, packaging and ancillary job opportunities.

8.2 The industry is organised along the Northern Shannon estuary through a local management system called CLAMS. The primary aim of Co-ordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS) is to ensure that the development of the aquaculture industry is in keeping with the principles of consensual and sustainable, management of the coastal zone. Through the CLAMS initiative management of the resource and its infrastructure needs can be integrated into a coastal zone management scheme for the Shannon estuary which the Council is a partner in. The Planning Authority will have regard to the representative views of aquaculture producers in the county.

The Planning Authority will seek to conserve those resources that are key to the establishment and growth of the aquaculture industry. Proposals for development CDP 36 that would compromise the establishment and growth of the aquaculture industry will not normally be permitted.

8.3 The Planning Authority will through its policies on safeguarding of access to the water and protecting water quality will seek to conserve those resources that are key to the establishment and growth of the aquaculture industry. In particular, when such developments would involve the discharge of effluent or the abstraction of water or would have any other effect of a scale or a nature likely to have a significant impact on the aquaculture industry.

8.2 The Planning Authority will in its Local Area Plans identify and safeguard land adjacent to piers, harbours and slipways for developments compatible with access to and use of the water.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control

44 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 9 Forestry

9.1 Forestry and forestry related employment contributes to the local economy and offers an alternative to agricultural employment and land use in suitable rural areas.

9.2 The amount of land in the county under forestry as a percentage of the total land area is higher than is the national average. This is surprising in view of the geology and soil cover of the county and its coastal location which acts against the establishment of forestry generally throughout the county. Whilst tree cover through forestry is high the percentage of native broadleaved woodland cover is low the majority of woodland planting being non-native fast growing conifer trees.

9.3 In accepting as a minimum standard Forestry Guidelines issued by the relevant agencies, particularly regard is paid to scale, species, diversity, fisheries and archaeology and the 'Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland' 1996 which refers to the minimum 20% broadleaf requirement.

9.4 To address the potential for forestry in the county and to redress the balance in terms of native as opposed to non-native woodland planting the Planning Authority will support the preparation of an Indicative Forest Strategy in consultation with the Forestry Service, the Forestry Industry and local communities. This strategy will help to develop forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis and which is compatible with the protection of the environment.

9.5 The Planning Authority will implement the Indicative Forest Strategy to encourage the development of forestry and forestry related industries in locations identified in the strategy having regard to local considerations and relevant national forestry guidelines as provided in the local area plans.

Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans; Development Control; Environment Section

45 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

46 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

E Environment

The environment of County Clare is the backcloth to all the change which this Plan sees taking place in the next six years. All of these changes will impact upon the environment either beneficially or to its detriment. It is the role of the Plan to minimise the negative impacts upon the environment brought about through development and use of the land.

The environment comprises both natural and built elements that together provide a quality of life for the residents of the county and its visitors. The supply of water and the quality of air are as important as the views of the coast and the built reminders of our past. Together they represent the sum of all the previous activities of people in the area and the effects of natural processes and changes.

The environment is dynamic and will change with or without human intervention. Whether it is sea level change resulting from global warming or changes in the flora and fauna covering the land through climate change there is an underlying natural process that will respond to the uses people make of the land and the development and demands placed upon it.

1 Natural Resources

1.1 The natural resources of the county are the county's trading capital and it is the responsibility of all to make sure that that capital is used wisely and conserved for future generations. This is the underlying principle of sustainable development.

1.2 The objectives of sustainability focus on the wise and efficient use of natural resources. It is a requirement of section 19(5) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that the Plan shall contain information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing it. A strategic environmental assessment of the Plan will therefore be undertaken and effects of implementing the plan assessed against the current quality of the natural resources. (Appendix Two)

Natural Resources Natural Heritage

Water Landscape Ground Water Biodiversity Fishing Waters Bathing Waters Tidal Energy Built Heritage Wave Energy Land Buildings Geology - Minerals/Aggregates Settlements Soils - Agriculture/Forestry Monuments Surface Area - Built Development Air Cultural Heritage Air Quality Wind Resource Archaeology Solar Energy Settlement Patterns

1.3 Many of the resources of the county are the product of activity on the land. This activity has resulted in buildings and other structures either complete, ruined or remnant and the arrangement of those buildings and structures into settlement patterns. It has resulted in roads, airports, railway lines, power stations, farms, factories and harbours.

1.4 In assessing the effects of the implementation of the Plan the effects on these resources are of equal consideration as they form part of our environment. 47 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 1.5 Natural resources provide materials for the economic growth of the county both in the direct sale of raw materials and in the provision of water and the production of building materials. The Planning Authority will take into account the rate of depletion of non-renewable resources to ensure that sufficient reserves are left for future generations whilst allowing for the present day development of the county. In carrying out its duties and responsibilities and in the exercise of its powers the Planning Authority will seek to minimise the inefficient exploitation of non-renewable resources and support the use of renewable natural resources.

1.6 The Planning Authority will encourage the use of renewable energy resources. The Planning Authority will through a Wind Energy Strategy identify preferred areas for the development of infrastructure to exploit the wind resources of the county.

1.7 The Planning Authority will through a Minerals and Aggregate Strategy identify the extent of the mineral and aggregate deposits and propose rates of extraction that will safeguard reserves of natural resources for future needs.

1.8 The Planning Authority in identifying land for development and considering proposals for development will seek to minimise losses of land with agricultural and forestry potential and areas of semi-natural habitat. The Planning Authority will require proposals for development to demonstrate that it will result in the efficient and sustainable use of natural and cultural CDP 37 resources.

1.9 The Planning Authority will through the control of development ensure that the county's water resources are of the highest quality by : a) identifying aquifer protection zones in the vicinity of major ground water resources whether these resources are being exploited at present or not, and to prohibit development within such zones, where such development would offer a serious threat to such resources. In this connection, the Council will have regard to the Groundwater Protection Scheme. b) identifying the catchment areas of those surface water bodies used or capable of being used as major sources of potable water, and to prohibit development within those catchment areas, if such development were to endanger the quantity or quality of water in the water body. The Council will have regard to Source Protection Plans. c) taking special precautions in the case of aquifers located in areas of fractured bedrock with limited overburden, in order to protect the underground water resources in these areas. d) taking steps to minimise and prevent where possible the enrichment (eutrophication) or acidification of lakes and rivers e) protecting bathing water quality and to take steps to facilitate the retention and achievement of Blue Flag status for beaches in the county. f) implementing the Groundwater Protection Scheme at present in preparation and to have regard to its recommendations when considering applications for planning permission. g) ensuring the protection of all ground water and surface water resources which are currently used to supply piped water systems and to ensure in particular, the protection of their points of extraction.

In considering proposals for development the Planning Authority shall have regard to the extent of environmental impact and will require developers to avoid CDP 38 adverse environmental impacts where possible. Where avoidance is not possible developers will be required to show how they will be mitigating against or compensating for such adverse environmental impacts.

Implementation Zoning and policies of Local Area Plans Development Control

48 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 3 Environmental Impact Assessment

3.1 The Planning Authority has a statutory role in respect of the making of development plans and the control of development and in making each decision it has to consider the likely effects upon the environment. In some cases the amount or type of development being proposed has the potential to result in significant environmental effects.

3.2 Part X of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides for the preparation and submission of environmental impact statements as part of an application for planning permission. The types and classes of development for which an environmental impact statement is required are set out in Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. In such cases the Planning Authority will consult with relevant authorities and agencies to assess the statement in consideration of the application for development.

3.3 Environmental assessment is a means of evaluating the full environmental impact of development. All environmental assessments consider alternative development proposals, assess the impacts of these alternatives, propose measures to avoid, mitigate against or compensate for adverse impacts and in each case lead to the production of an environmental statement.

3.4 Where an environmental impact assessment is required the applicant or person intending to apply for planning permission may request the Planning Authority provide a written opinion, known as a scoping, on the information that is needed to be contained in an environmental impact statement. Such information will be specific to the development being proposed.

3.5 The Planning Authority in considering the scoping of environmental impacts statements will have regard to Schedule 6 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 and to the Environmental Protection Agency document Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statements 2002 .

4 Coastal Zone Management

4.1 The county possesses an extensive and contrasting coastline from the Shannon Estuary to the south along the Atlantic coast to the west and into Galway Bay to the north. This coastal area has offered over the centuries and still offers settlement opportunities where people can exploit the coastal zone for transportation, farming, industry, recreation and education. It provides a range of natural resources that can support local economies and offer opportunities for growth and development.

4.2 For such growth and development to take place a full understanding of the vulnerability of the coastline to the dynamic natural processes of erosion, accretion and climate change is critical. This is evidenced by the mudflats, cliff faces and dune systems of the coastline many of which provide important habitats for a number of key wildlife species. The dynamic coastline can be inspirational and evocative and presenting a wild and changing landscape for visitors to the area.

4.4 In the Lower Shannon Estuary the Council is working with a range of organisations and authorities including Limerick and Kerry County Councils, the Ports and Harbour Authority, the Fisheries Board and Shannon Development, to bring forward a management scheme for the coastal zone of the Shannon Estuary. In the area of Fanore on the North Clare Atlantic coast the Council are working with national and international partners to prepare a management scheme for the dune system at Fanore beach in the context of the coastal zone in that area.

CDP 39 Opportunities will be sought in partnership with others to prepare schemes of integrated management for the whole of the coastline in the county.

49 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 5 Landscape

5.1 The landscape of Clare contains areas nationally unique and locally special. It provides the setting for the county’s settled population, its towns and villages, its history and its culture. The Plan has as its objective the conservation protection and enhancement of the landscape at a number of levels : a) The value of the landscape in its own right as open countryside and as the form and character of settled areas. b) As a resource for economic growth through its physical and visual attributes. c) As a contribution to the quality of life of residents and visitors. d) As a reservoir of habitats and species whose diversity enriches the environment.

5.2 The draft guidelines on Landscape and Landscape Assessment 2000 aim to heighten awareness of the importance of landscape in all aspects of physical planning, to provide guidance to planners and to others as to how landscape considerations should be dealt with and to indicate specific requirements for Development Plans and for development control.

5.3 The Heritage Council have published the Landscape Character Assessment for County Clare. The assessment was carried out in conformity with the guidance contained in the draft Landscape and Landscape Assessment Guidelines.

5.4 The assessment report was published in 2003 and provides a detailed description of the different areas of landscape character in the County including an assessment of historical landscape types and the identification of seascape character areas. The report identified landscape condition and sensitivity to change, the forces of changes in each character area and the principles for landscape management.

5.5 The value placed upon the landscape character areas and the objectives adopted by the Planning Authority to preserve the character of landscapes is a matter for the Planning Authority in complying with Section 10 of the Act.

5.6 The Landscape and Landscape Assessment guidelines propose that Planning Authorities will establish a policy response in relation to the varying degrees of landscape sensitivity in its area. The document Criteria for the Evaluation of Landscape Quality 1997 was used to determine the degree of sensitivity of landscapes in the county for policies in the Clare County Development Plan 1999. The Landscape Character Assessment of County Clare does not challenge the findings of this document but integrates this assessment of sensitivity.

5.7 The two documents have been fully integrated to provide a more detailed evaluation of landscape visual, physical and cultural in line with the guidelines. The outcome of the review of landscape values of the county continues to support the values attributed to those that have been protected as being visually vulnerable. In addition it provides a better understanding of the significant elements of the landscape classified under 22 landscape character areas by looking in detail at what contributes to the overall character of an area.

5.8 In line with the national guidelines these landscapes have been classified as being unique, special or of high, moderate or low sensitivity. Within these landscape areas those parts of the landscape recognised as being special or unique are protected under policy as vulnerable landscapes where there will be a presumption against development that has a significant adverse impact upon the character, integrity and uniformity of the landscape.

5.9 Previous development plans have shown a consistency in the way in which the highest valued landscapes of the county have been identified as being the extensive Burren area, the coastal areas of the Atlantic coast and the Shannon estuary, the shores of lakes and turloughs, and the higher ground associated with the ridges and peaks of Slieve Callan, Slieve Bernagh, and the Slieve Aughties including Maghera.

50 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 5.10 The consistency shown in policy approaches since 1967 to preserve these landscapes reveals an underlying acceptance of the value of them. The identification of landscape character areas that are contained wholly or in part within those designated areas further informs the Planning Authority. The refinement of the promotion or control of development ensures that the attributes that are key to the character of an area, where they make a significant contribution to its value, are preserved.

5.11 The natural, built and cultural resources of the county are displayed through the county's landscape. The landscape is dynamic living thing and policies seeking to preserve its character must recognise and value the changes that result from continued management of the land or lack of it, and development of a local economy and community. In areas identified as being vulnerable landscapes the Planning Authority will only normally permit proposals for development of the highest quality in terms CDP 40 of siting and design and where the development will not adversely impact upon to a significant extent upon the character, integrity or uniformity of the landscape. 5.12 The Planning Authority will conserve and protect the character of the landscape by designating areas within the county as vulnerable as illustrated in Map 5.

5.13 The Planning Authority in promoting development especially in rural areas and in considering proposals for development will have regard to the character of the landscape and its recognised values. Development needing a rural location will be required to be of the highest quality and design so that it compliments its landscape setting.

5.14 The Planning Authority in promoting development and considering proposals for development will aim to preserve the distinctiveness of landscape character areas by not permitting development that has a significant adverse impact upon the character, integrity or uniformity of the landscape.

5.15 The Planning Authority will protect views from the uplands, seashore, lakes or the views of ridges and hills of recognised scenic value from development which would be obtrusive. Local Area Plans will identify those uplands, seashores, lakes, ridges and hills that are of scenic value as vulnerable landscapes.

5.16 The Planning Authority will identify in Local Area Plans the extent of the designation of vulnerable landscapes and the criteria against which development must be tested in those areas to determine whether the landscape is adversely impacted upon to a significant extent or if natural resources are adversely affected.

The Planning Authority will make a presumption against development on the CDP 41 islands of Lough Derg, where such developments would detract from the remote character, uninhabited nature or wildlife value of these islands.

5.17 The islands within Lough Derg are of national importance in terms of their landscape value. The islands have experienced a number of uses over the centuries through settlement and these uses have left a rich cultural heritage. Their isolation within the lake also provides a safe haven for wildlife that would not otherwise be present on the lake and contributes to a sense of remoteness when viewed from the lake shore. The Planning Authority will normally only permit development outside settlements CDP 42 where it can be clearly demonstrated that regard has been had to the recognised landscape values and character of the area.

5.18 The landscape of the county has perhaps never been considered in so much detail as when it was assessed for the CAAS report on landscape value in 1997 and for the Heritage Council report in 2003. The information about the landscape makes it easier for the Planning Authority to see how development can be absorbed into the landscape so as to compliment rather than degrade it. By using this information in considering proposals for development outside settlements opportunities for finding appropriate locations for otherwise unacceptable rural developments are increased.

51 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

The Planning Authority will normally only permit development where it can be CDP 43 clearly demonstrated that the appearance and character of existing local landscape features are where appropriate retained, protected and enhanced, in particular, hedgerows, shelter belts and stone walls. 5.19 Familiar landscapes comprise a large number of small landscape features and items of interest that together create an unforgettable place. When the landscape is changed through development the retention of these features or items of interest can help to preserve the local character of the area. The Planning Authority will normally only permit development where trees and groups of trees of high amenity value are retained and where such retention is CDP 44 not possible to require that suitable replanting takes place within or adjacent to the site.

5.20 The Planning Authority in its Local Area Plans will identify trees and groups of trees of high amenity value. The Planning Authority will promote the planting of broadleaf woodlands where such planting is environmentally acceptable.

5.21 The Planning Authority will in its Local Area Plans identify on proposals maps scenic routes where development which would interfere with views from roads designated as Scenic Routes will not normally be permitted. The designated scenic routes are listed in Appendix 2.

It will be the policy of the Planning Authority to require that those seeking to carry out development in the environs of a scenic route to demonstrate that there will be; no adverse obstruction or degradation of the views towards and from CDP 45 visually vulnerable features; nor significant alterations to the appearance or character of these areas.

Implementation Zoning and Policies in Local Area Plans Development Control

6 Environmental Designations Policy

Natural Heritage

6.1 The Planning Authority will identify in Local Area Plans the boundaries of areas identified and designated as sites, or candidate, proposed or potential sites, of importance for nature conservation. In identifying natural heritage sites for conservation and protection the Planning Authority will consult with the Heritage Forum, Geological Survey of Ireland, the Biodiversity Steering Group and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Planning Authority will normally only permit development where it can be clearly demonstrated that : i) There is no direct or indirect adverse affect on areas designated as sites or candidate or potential sites of national or international importance for wildlife and ii) There will be no direct or indirect impact upon protected species and CDP 46 their habitats; and iii) There will be no adverse impact upon features of major importance to wild flora and fauna; and iv) There are no adverse impact upon features of geological or geomorphological importance recognised by the Geological Survey of Ireland; and v) There are no significant adverse effects on local habitats or species.

52 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 6.2 Natural heritage includes local flora and fauna, geology, parks and inland waterways. Designation of protected natural areas proves one of the most effective means of conserving biological diversity and cultural landscapes. The objective of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) is for conservation of plants, animals and wildlife habitats of importance to the European Union; Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are for the conservation of rare and threatened bird species and their habitats again designated in accordance with directives from the European Union and are known as Natura 2000 sites. Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) are for conservation of plants, animals and wildlife habitats of national importance.

6.3 The Habitats Directive enacted through the Wildlife Act presumes against development that impacts upon the integrity of a Natura 2000 site. Proposals for development that are likely to have a significant impact upon a Natura 2000 site or a proposed or candidate Natura 2000 site can only proceed where an assessment of the impacts upon the site have been evaluated by the Planning Authority. For this purpose the Planning Authority will require any proposals for development on or adjacent to Natura 2000 sites to be accompanied by a sufficient environmental impact assessment and written confirmation from Duchas as to the significance of any impacts of the proposed development on the site. 6.4 Where the site concerned hosts a priority natural habitat type and/or a priority species, the only proposals which may be considered are those relating to human health and public safety; to the beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment; or to other imperative reasons of overriding public interest in the opinion of the European Commission.

6.5 It is the Planning Authority’s objective to conserve and enhance the natural environment including natural heritage, landscape and water resources. The Planning Authority recognises the importance of protecting designated areas of landscape quality and natural environment.

6.6 The Planning Authority acknowledges that it is important to maintain and enhance the character and quality of the urban and rural environment in its entirety as wildlife heritage is not confined to statutorily designated sites, but is found throughout the countryside and in built-up areas. All development proposals should respect significant wildlife habitat areas and corridors so as to protect flora and fauna and to conserve and enhance their habitat.

Built Heritage

The Planning Authority will normally only permit developments which can clearly CDP 47 demonstrate that there would be no adverse impacts upon the archaeological or historical importance of recorded sites or monuments.

6.7 The county possess a wealth of historical and archaeological remains including some of the best examples of early settlement areas in Europe. The Planning Authority recognises the value and significance of its archaeological heritage and therefore seeks to ensure effective protection, conservation and enhancement of archaeological sites, monuments and settings.

6.8 The Planning Authority will require proposals for development to have regard to the archaeological survey and record of National Monuments and Places. Where significant archaeological remains are found through excavation the Planning Authority will require a plan for their recording and conservation as a component of a planning application.

The Planning Authority will normally only permit the development of appropriate CDP 48 visitor facilities in the vicinity of areas of historical and archaeological importance where such provision will not interfere with the protection or appreciation of these areas.

6.9 The Planning Authority recognises the interest of visitors to examine and experience the cultural history of the area. This activity is important to the local economy and will be supported through the identification and zoning of land and the provision of policies in Local Area Plans to facilitate tourism development . 53 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 6.10 The Planning Authority will work closely with the Heritage Forum, local groups and individuals to identify and protect items of archaeological interest, including those identified on the Record of Monuments and Places, and to promote the same for the purposes of education and awareness of local heritage. The Planning Authority will normally only permit development affecting protected structures where it incorporates measures to protect, conserve and enhance the CDP49 character and appearance of the structure and its setting. 6.11 The Planning Authority will seek to manage the protection and enhancement of Protected Structures as a part of the overall monitoring of the implementation of the Development Plan, including, where practicable, the provision of incentives. The Planning Authority will maintain and adopt a list of protected structures which are those buildings and structures or parts thereof which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. 6.12 The Planning and Development Act, 2000 requires every Development Plan to include a Record of Protected Structures (RPS). It is the policy and intention of the Planning Authority to protect and conserve buildings and structures, or parts of structures, the character of streetscapes and townscapes, which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. Those structures are listed within Appendix Four. 6.13 The Planning and Development Act, 2000 removes exempted development rights where works to a protected structure or a proposed protected structure will materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure which contributes to its special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest. Planning permission will be required where such works are proposed. Proposals for development involving alterations or additions to a protected structure or its setting will only be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that : a) development will be compatible with and will not detract from the CDP 50 special character of the structure or its setting; and b) features of architectural or historic interest and the historic form and structural integrity of the structure will be retained.

6.14 The Planning Authority recognises the balance that has to be struck between the continued growth and development of town and village centres and the conservation and protection of the historic built environment. In considering matters concerning protected structures and architectural conservation areas regard will be had to the Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

6.15 Where structures are identified as being of special interest then the Planning Authority through its conservation officer will assess the structure against the criteria in the guidelines to determine whether it merits inclusion in the record of protected structures. Where such a structure is identified the process of including it in the record will be commenced. Where a such a structure is identified and is at risk of being lost or damaged by development the Planning Authority will use its powers under the act to protect the building in the first instance. Proposals for development that result in the material alteration or demolition of a protected structure will only be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that : a) the development has no adverse impacts on the character or integrity of the protected structure, or views to and from it; CDP 51 b) the structure is not capabe of repair; and c) there is no compatible or viable alternative use for the structure.

6.16 The Planning Authority will seek to prevent the demolition or any material alteration without planning permission, of buildings and structures included in the RPS. Insensitive developments that compromise the setting of listed buildings or structures will not normally be permitted.

54 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 6.17 The Planning Authority will normally only permit development that retains the best examples of vernacular architecture in the County and will not normally permit the demolition or radical alteration of such buildings. 6.18 The Planning Authority will adopt in its Local Area Plans policies for the conservation of buildings and structures or parts thereof identified on the Record of Protected Structures.

6.19 The Planning Authority will seek the protection, conservation and, where necessary, restoration or enhancement of the quality, character and features of heritage gardens and parks.

6.20 The Planning Authority will prepare guidelines for works to protected structures or for works within architectural conservation areas. Proposals for developments affecting protected structures will have to clearly demonstrate that they have had regard to those guidelines.

Implementation Zoning and policies of Local Area Plans; Development Control

7 Town and Village Centres It is the policy of the Planning Authority to facilitate the development of vibrant and attractive towns and villages. The Planning Authority will encourage CDP 52 development in town and village centres to provide opportunity for a mix of development at an appropriate scale to the settlement and its location within the settlement hierarchy. 7.1 The environment of the County’s town and village centres is important to its viability as an attractive place for people to live, work and visit. Urban renewal and environmental improvement is a continuous requirement if the attraction of a centre is to be maintained and to be competitive.

7.2 The Planning Authority will encourage the development of streetscapes in town and village centres to provide a strong settlement structure to create a sense of place and focus for economic and civic growth. The Planning Authority will require where appropriate the retention of existing traditional shop fronts and encourage new shop fronts to respect and reflect the architectural characteristics of the building of which it forms part.

7.3 The character and quality of the architecture and form of many towns and villages in the county has been recognised by their designation as architectural conservation areas.

The Planning Authority will identify and adopt policies in its Local Area Plans for CDP 53 the conservation of architectural conservation areas which are areas of special architectural, historical, architectural, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value or that contribute to the appreciation of protected structures.

7.4 The Act provides that a development plan shall include an objective to preserve the character of a place, area, group of structures or townscape taking account of the building lines and heights, that is of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest or value or contributes to the appreciation of protected structures. If the planning authority is of the opinion that its inclusion is necessary for the preservation of the character of the place, area, group of structures or townscape concerned and any such place, area, group of structures or townscape shall be designated as an architectural conservation area.The architectural conservation areas designated in the county are listed in Appendix Five.

7.5 Within town centres a mix of residential, retail and commercial uses adds to the vibrancy of the town. The Planning Authority will through policies in its Local Area Plans protect ground floor retail and commercial uses and encourage residential uses at first floor.

7.6 The County Retail Strategy and the settlement statements in the Local Area Plans provide policy and guidance for development within settlements. The Planning Authority in permitting development in town and village centres will require that regard is paid to the settlement strategies contained within the Local Area Plans and to the character of the settlement and the degree to which the development revitalises, conserves or enhances that character. 55 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

The Planning Authority will normally permit the development of recreation, leisure, hot food take away and entertainment developments within town and village centres where it can be clearly demonstrated that it is appropriate incrementally CDP 54 with other similar developments where they exist or have been permitted.

7.7 There is a need to ensure that adequate provision is made for evening and night time activities as such uses act to stimulate vitality and viability and broaden the range of services provided in centres. Development proposals for evening and late night entertainment, including restaurants, public houses, taxi offices, hot food take-away and other similar uses will be permitted in town centres and other appropriately located and accessible sites unless, individually or cumulatively, they have a detrimental effect on the environment, residential amenity, traffic generation and public or road safety. 7.8 The Planning Authority will assess proposals for evening and night time uses on their individual merits but in reaching a decision will take into account issues of the amenity of owners and occupiers in the vicinity, effects on environmental quality (by way of noise, fumes, smells or light intrusion) and the need to ensure that road safety is maintained at all times. Where necessary, proposals will need to include appropriate mitigation measures to the satisfaction of the Council prior to the grant of planning consent. Implementation Zoning and policies in local area plans Development Control

8 Re-Use Of Derelict Sites or Buildings The Planning Authority will promote and encourage the reuse of derelict sites or buildings to assist in the regeneration of areas of rural decline and in the enhancement and regeneration of settlements where this does not conflict with CDP 55 zoning objectives and other policies in the development plan. 8.1 A developed site or building represents a resource and is of most benefit when in an active positive use. Dereliction occurs equally in settlements or in the open countryside and reflects changes in the economy, community structure or living standards.

8.2 Changes in requirements make buildings limited by design, layout or location unsuitable for continued use. Changes in agriculture leads to the under-use of small farm buildings and the closure of creameries and agriculture related businesses. Changes in population numbers and profile result in the closure or under-use of houses, shops, schools and other community buildings.

8.3 The reuse of these sites or buildings as originally laid out and designed is not always appropriate and imaginative and ingenious conversions or adaptations of sites or building for a future use can often result in an enhancement of an area.

8.4 In settlements derelict sites and buildings, especially in architectural conservation areas, can result in degradation of the urban landscape and the Planning Authority will promote the re- development of such sites and buildings to promote the growth of the settlement overall.

8.5 Town and Urban Renewal Schemes have operated in the recent past in the towns of Shannon, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Scarrif, Miltown Malbay and Sixmilebridge bringing back into use derelict or underused sites and buildings. This in turn encourages other landowners to invest in the development of sites in the area. The use of village enhancement schemes offers wider opportunities for environmental improvement in settlements including the enhancement of derelict sites and buildings.

8.6 Where the proposal for development lies within an architectural conservation area the Planning Authority will generally require the refurbishment, restoration and conservation of derelict, vacant and obsolete buildings and areas to be of the highest quality in design, technique and materials.

8.7 Dereliction is a significant negative attribute in an area discouraging investment and undermining community morale. The Planning Authority will promote and encourage the reuse of 56 derelict sites and buildings to achieve the aims and objectives of the Plan. Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Outside settlements the Planning Authority will normally permit the reuse of derelict or vacant dwellings or their sites for the development of new dwellings CDP 56 or other appropriate development. Proposals for such development will be required to show that the site is in all other ways suitable for development.

8.8 The non-use of derelict or vacated housing sites in rural areas is a significant waste of resources and the Planning Authority seeks to encourage their redevelopment as an alternative to new one-off housing developments.

8.8 For a derelict site to be considered for redevelopment for single rural housing the derelict structure must be evident in that the layout of the building and the walls defining that layout are substantially present. In the case of a vacated residential site sought for redevelopment it must be demonstrated that there has been continuous residential occupation and no intervening use of the site nor an abandonment of that residential use.

8.10 The Planning Authority will also seek to : a) make use of 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. b) identify in local area plans areas of dereliction suitable for redevelopment in settlements. c) provide in settlement statements such guidance as is necessary for the appropriate redevelopment of larger derelict areas. d) make use of its own building programme as far as possible to carry out improvements to derelict areas.

8.11 The Planning Authority will normally require the retention, refurbishment and improvement of an original dwelling in so far as it is able to provide sufficient internal and external space and is sympathetic in scale, mass, materials and architectural details to the vernacular character of dwellings in the locality. Where such retention is not possible the Planning Authority may require in the interests of amenity that the original building is removed.

Implementation Zoning and policies in Local Area Plans Development Control

57 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

58 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

F Housing Policy

1.1 There is an inextricable link between the provision and distribution of housing and the requirements of a growing and changing population which must be recognised if barriers to continuing economic growth, competitiveness and social development are to be avoided.

1.2 It is part of the vision of this plan that every person will have an opportunity to reside within the area in which they have been born or raised. The Planning Authority in line with the National Spatial Strategy wish to see the open countryside in the county made available to provide for the permanent housing needs of the local rural people who have a background in the rural area or who are working there.

1.3 An historically rural population in County Clare has been revealed within the 2002 census to be moving into settlements especially the larger settlements such as Ennis, Shannon, Sixmilebridge and the towns and villages to the north of Limerick City. Rural settlements such as Tulla, Miltown Malbay, Corofin and Crusheen, have also witnessed increases in population.

1.4 To provide for the diverse housing needs of the county’s population the Planning Authority have adopted a Housing Strategy as part of the development plan. The Housing Strategy adopted in 2001 has been reviewed and will form the basis for housing policy within the county for the period to 2008. The revised document has identified a continuation of changes and trends taking place locally and nationally in terms of reduced household size and a slower rate of house building and is adopted in this Plan.

1.5 The key changes relate to the level of house completions and the predicted housing needs for the next six years. The population predictions based upon the rate of house completion and the anticipated in migration from outside the county are also taken into account.

1.6 The analysis of trends in population and the distribution of growth in the county are critical to determining the provision of housing. An analysis of housing need was undertaken in the Housing Strategy 2000 - 2005. This was based upon figures that have subsequently been seen to be too high as shown in Table 1 in Chapter B Settlement Strategy.

1.7 The Housing Strategy has determined the need for social and affordable housing and the mix of types of housing required. To rationalise the varying predictions in population growth and therefore in housing need and demand a composite of the national, regional and local analysis has been used and is presented in Table 2.

Table 2 Housing Requirements Based upon Household Size of 2.8 and Mean Population Prediction Including In-Migration over the Next 6 Years Population Pop. x household size of 2.8 Annual Housing Need mean change House numbers 2002-2011 Ennis & Environs 3425 3425/2.8 = 1223 1223/6 = 204 West Clare/Kilrush Loss Nil 0 North Clare 747 747/2.8 = 267 267/6 = 45 East Clare 845 845/2.8=302 302/6 = 50 South Clare 2658 2658/2.8 = 950 950/6 = 158 In-Migration 10000 10000/2.8= 3571 3333/6 = 595 TOTAL 17675 17675/2.8 = 6313 6313/6 = 1052

1.8 This composite takes an average predicted growth in population based upon analysis of the 2002 census data and takes the principle of in-migration used to support the higher anticipated growth in housing over the next six years. 59 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 1.9 Table 2 predicts an annual housing requirement for permanent residence for the Plan area of around 1000 units per year. The Housing Strategy indicates that this figure could be as high as 1463 for the whole of the county. In-migration accounts for around 50% of these and the remaining housing need arising from natural growth is distributed around the county with 80% being required in the Ennis/Shannon/Limerick Corridor.

1.10 The development of housing in excess of need by way of investment, second homes or holiday homes, or in anticipation of higher demand can lead to variations in the number of housing units completed annually.

1.11 The Local Area Plans in settlement strategies will identify housing need in their areas and identify and zone land to accommodate that need. There are other aspects of residential development which the Plan must provide policy and guidance on, including: the provision of land for new housing development, the encouragement of better utilisation of vacant and under-utilised residential accommodation and the protection of the amenity of existing residential areas.

1.12 Housing land and sites will be made available through: the designation of residentially zoned and serviced land; infill of existing, developed areas in towns, villages and designated cluster locations; and the conversion of non-residential buildings for housing purposes.

1.13 The Planning Authority will monitor housing land availability throughout the plan period and take the appropriate steps to ensure that there is a readily available supply of such land, in accordance with the Clare County Housing Strategy, in the settlement policies of the plan.

1.14 Policies in the Housing Strategy will be applied in Local Area Plans, to provide for a mix of housing within developments, offering an opportunity for a higher level of social integration.

On all housing developments of five or more units the Planning Authority will CDP 57 require equivalent to the land value of 20% of the permitted development to be made available for the provision of social and affordable housing in accordance with the adopted Clare County Housing Strategy. 1.15 T h e Housing Strategy includes policies to control the mix of house types and sizes required to meet housing demand and the Planning Authority will control the mixture of house types and sizes through individual planning applications and will utilise conditions or agreements under Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 in order to secure the appropriate mix.

1.16 While it is not the intention of the Council to overly direct the market in responding to housing demand, it is clear from analysis of future County household size trends that there will be a growing requirement for smaller dwellings (one and two bedroom), while the current situation in Clare County is one where larger dwelling sizes are predominant. The policy therefore considers it appropriate to balance the housing stock profile by expecting residential developers to make greater provision for smaller dwellings within their proposals.

2 Housing in Settlements

2.1 Provision of housing to meet the requirements of the housing strategy will require the reservation of land through the preparation of Local Area Plans integrated with access to and planned provision of infrastructure, community facilities, services and amenities. In zoning land for future housing growth Local Area Plans will ensure that sufficient land is zoned in accordance with predicted distribution to provide for the highest CDP 58 predicted rate of population growth with an additional land zoning of at least 15% to provide flexibility in the delivery of that housing. 2.2 Housing in settlements is at the heart of the economic growth of the county and policies within the plan will promote and support it. It is in the settlements that sufficient numbers of people can justify the continued provision of services and facilities that can benefit the surrounding rural areas settlements support. 60 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 2.3 The density of house building throughout the county is at average around 20-25 per ha.(8-10 per acre). In settlements higher densities focussing in particular on settlement centres provide a more efficient use of land and a more sustainable settlement.

2.4 In having regard to the Residential Density guidelines the Planning Authority will look for average densities in settlement centres of 35 - 50 per ha.(15 - 20 per acre) in so far as it supports the sustainable development of the settlement.

3 Housing Outside Settlements

3.1 It is recognised that as much as 20% of new housing is provided as single one off rural housing for the needs of local rural persons. This is in accordance with the National Spatial Strategy which seeks to provide for rural generated housing needs for people who are part of the rural community. The National Spatial Strategy makes it clear that through its housing strategy the Planning Authority has a responsibility to ensure that sufficient new housing is targeted to meet the rural housing needs of the local rural population. 3.2 Within the open countryside there is a constant need for housing to meet the needs of a growing or changing rural community. These needs have to be balanced against the environmental needs of the landscape and the wider community in the county. Part of that rural housing need is the opportunity for people to return to family lands having moved away from areas as part of general rural depopulation and the housing requirements of people working in the open countryside. To meet the needs of local communities for rurally generated housing and to support the rural communities of County Clare proposals for development including the development of single dwellings in areas of the open countryside not identified as being : i) under pressure for urban generated housing or as being structurally CDP 59 weak, or ii) in designated vulnerable landscape areas where there is a limited capacity to absorb new buildings, will generally be permitted for the permanent occupation of local rural persons and members of the local population who can clearly demonstrate a requirement to locate in the open countryside.

3.6 Within the open countryside outside the settlements in the county it is recognised that there are two different categories of housing need. The National Spatial Strategy recognises these two different housing needs as that arising from people who are an intrinsic part of the rural community by way of background or the fact that they work in rural areas (rurally generated housing ) and that arising from a demand for housing in rural locations sought by people living and working in urban areas, including second homes (urban generated housing). 3.4 Local rural persons and members of the local population are recognised as persons who have a role in the future development and revitalisation of declining rural areas and their role in their local areas is recognised.

3.5 A local rural person is a person who was born in the local area or who is living, or whose parents or children have been living, within the local area for a minimum of ten years. Local rural person includes a local rural worker who is working in the local area.

3.6 Members of the local population are persons who have been living permanently within local rural settlements for ten years. Local Rural Settlements are the small villages which are listed in Tier 6 of the settlement hierarchy. Members of the local rural population shall also include persons who have been living permanently for a period of ten years or more in towns and villages that are not within areas designated as being structurally weak or in areas under pressure from urban generated development, where an upgrade of infrastructure is needed but not planned to be delivered within the lifetime of the Plan. To allow for the sustainable growth of Ennistymon, Milltown Malbay, Doonbeg and Liscannor sites for members of the local population will not normally be allowed within 1km of the settlement. 61 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

To support the economic growth of the Limerick/Shannon to Ennis corridor and the growth of the towns and villages throughout the county, proposals for development in those parts of County Clare that are identified as being under pressure from urban generated development and outside appropriately zoned CDP 60 land, will be limited to single rural houses for the permanent occupation of local rural persons with a genuine requirement for housing in a the open countryside.

3.7 In relation to urban generated housing the National Spatial Strategy states that development driven by cities and larger towns should take place within their built up areas or on lands identified through the development plan process for integrated, serviced and sustainable development.

3.8 Areas under pressure from urban generated development are generally characterised by high population densities, an advanced level of transition to a higher socio-economic profiles, low levels of reliance on agricultural employment and high level of commuting to work. They are generally found in close proximity to urban centres. These areas are essentially those parts of the open countryside that have been subjected to very high levels of urban generated adjustment, they contain over one half of the total population of the county. On average such areas have a population density of over 40 persons per sq. km. These areas are identified on Map 3. In areas designated as vulnerable landscapes the development of single houses for the permanent occupation of local rural persons will be permitted where they can clearly demonstrate that they are built to a high quality of design and the CDP 61 siting and layout do not result in signifcant adverse impacts on the character, intergity or uniformity of the landscape.

3.9 The Planning Authority have published the County Clare House Design Guide for Houses in the Countryside to facilitate the building of homes in the countryside that will contribute positively to the character of the area. In vulnerable landscape areas high quality design and sensitive treatment of siting and landscape works can make single rural houses complimentary to their landscape setting.

3.10 In order to protect the character and diversity of the landscape of County Clare and the economic assets they represent, proposals for development detrimental to the recognised landscape character or within vulnerable areas and on scenic routes will not generally be permitted if the development would degrade in any significant way the character, integrity or uniformity of the landscape. In designated vulnerable landscape areas there is a limited capacity to absorb new buildings and therefore proposals for single rural houses will be considered only for the permanent housing needs of local rural persons. Vulnerable landscape areas are identified on Map 5.

To support the existing rural population and to re-establish rural communities the Planning Authority will identify the structurally weak rural areas of County Clare where proposals for the development of single dwellings for permanent CDP 62 occupation will generally be permitted.

3.11 It is recognised that there is a level of economic decline exacerbated by continued depopulation in certain areas in the county that must be addressed through levels of growth beyond the housing needs of the local population. The Planning Authority has identified these areas as being structurally weak and the National Spatial Strategy suggests that any demand for residential development in such areas should be accommodated. In these areas the council will encourage the settlement of all persons including those who wish to move out of urban areas to pursue a rural life style.

3.12 Structurally weak areas are rural district electoral divisions that are economically and demographically most disadvantaged. The defining attributes are a very strong reliance on a very weak farm structure (elderly farmers on small farms producing very low levels of output, high level of decline in number of farmers, though they still account for the largest share of the workforce), low levels of employment in manufacturing or services and a below average level of self-employment outside agriculture, and the lowest level of females in part-time employment. These economic attributes have contributed to the emergence of a very weak demographic profile based on an ageing population with relatively fewer households with young children. 62 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 3.13 Areas designated as areas of urban generated housing or as structurally weak areas are identified in the proposals Map 3 of the Plan, detailed boundaries will be illustrated in the proposals maps of Local Area Plans

Whilst the above policies address the principles of housing location, to be permitted development will have to demonstrate site suitability. There is a need to show that CDP 63 the site is suitable in terms of public health, public safety, environmental impact, residential amenity, visual amenity, layout and design, and development does not give rise to ribbon development.

3.14 It is recognised that restrictions on access to national and regional roads and the creation of ribbon development can result in local rural persons not being able to acquire sites for building a rural dwelling. In order to facilitate the needs of local rural persons design guidance will be produced to indicate how the use of in depth development safely accessed from the road network and laid out in a manner that reflects a rural rather than urban setting will overcome some of the reasons why rural housing may not be allowed.

3.15 To safeguard the stock of rural housing from inflationary price rises occupancy conditions will normally be attached to permissions for rural housing limiting occupation in rural areas outside settlements to local rural persons will be considered. Exceptions to this position may be justified in areas identified as being structurally weak.

4 Exceptions to Rural Housing Policy

Where there is a grouping of otherwise scattered rural housing the development of gap sites amongst the existing developed sites will generally be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that : CDP 64 a) the site is suitable in accordance with policy CDP63above, b) the infill gap is not greater than 50 metres in width, c) there is no loss of residential amenity, and d) there is safe and convenient road access.

4.1 Throughout the open countryside and in structurally weak areas there are settled areas where there is no centre or service such as a shop, church or school. These settled areas are characterised by groups of houses in amongst which there may be opportunities for infill development.

In the open countryside and in structurally weak areas that are not vulnerable landscapes in depth housing schemes of up to ten dwellings may be permitted where it can be clearly demonstrated that : i) The site is suitable for development ii) The houses are for permanent occupancy only, CDP 65 iii) Only one point of vehicular access from the road network is provided, iv) Sites are a minimum of 2000m2 in size, v) The development exhibits a high quality of design and a non-linear layout vi) All site development will be completed before occupancy of any unit commences. 4.2 In areas where there is a need to encourage the development of single rural housing it is sometimes not possible because of the degree to which the development creates ribbon development or gives rise to road safety issues. In such circumstances in depth development of up to ten houses for permanent occupancy laid out in a non-linear form to a high quality of design may be acceptable to the Planning Authority to provide for local rural housing needs.

4.3 Within areas under pressure from urban generated housing where local rural persons can build single rural housing for permanent occupation to meet their housing needs development guidelines will be produced on rural housing to encourage the sensitive in-depth development of up to six houses to overcome problems of ribbon development and multiple road access points. (see 3.14 above) 63 Draft Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

In areas under pressure from urban generated housing on landholdings, where residential development has not previously been permitted other than for a dwelling or dwellings for occupation by the landowner or landowners family, proposals for development of not more than two dwellings for permanent occupation by local rural persons and members of the population who have been living for at least ten years within settlements in the area under pressure from urban generated housing will CDP 66 normally be permitted subject to the following conditions : - the site must not be within two kilometres of Ennis, Clarecastle, Killaloe, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Scariff, Sixmilebridge and Shannon. - the site must be suitable in accordance with policy CDP63 above ; - the landowners must enter into an undertaking not to develop land adjacent to the proposed development site. The land subject of such an undertaking shall include a minimum of 100m of public road frontage per dwelling. The duration of the undertaking shall be not more than five years. 4.4 Within areas under pressure from urban generated development opportunities for the development of single rural housing are limited to local rural persons. To allow for people who are members of the local rural settlements within the area under pressure from urban generated housing to take a fuller part in the life of their wider rural community and to fulfil their housing needs proposals for the development of two sites for permanent occupation may be allowed on land holdings where there has not previously been residential development other than for the land owners family subject to site suitability and the criteria in the policy.

5Traveller Accommodation

5.1 The Planning Authority recognises the specific requirements of the travelling community regarding the provision of accommodation and other facilities. It also recognises its function in the provision of such facilities and recognises the impact which such facilities can have in the amenities of residential and other developments. In order to address these issues in a balanced manner, the policy establishes a series of appropriate criteria for the provision of traveller accommodation. This is in accordance with the County Development Plan, 1999 and the Traveller Accommodation Programme for County Clare 2000-2006 which was adopted in February 2000. 5.2 In deciding the location of individual group housing serviced sites and mixed developments, the council will have regard to the following: - The range of alternative development sites available; - The need for the occupants of the developments to have convenient access to social, community and commercial services; - The nature of the development proposed; - The impact on the amenity of adjacent areas, having regard to the nature of such areas; - The degree to which such impacts can be mitigated; - Traffic safety considerations, particularly the need to protect adequate access from the main road system; - The availability of water and waste water facilities; - The implications of the development for conservation of the natural and built heritage; - Public health considerations; - The need to provide facilities appropriate to the traveller way of life; - The need for serviced sites to be located a reasonable distance from existing dwellings; and - To achieve an appropriate balance of traveller families and settled families.

5.3 The Planning Authority will zone land for traveller accommodation in accordance with the Traveller Accommodation Programme and provide policies for their development in Local Area Plans.

64 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

G Community Services and Facilities

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to seek the provision of community services and facilities and to take account of their future needs for change in CDP 67 considering proposals for the development of residential areas and through the collection of development contributions.

1.1 The Planning Authority recognises the need to facilitate the development and retention of the infrastructure necessary to support health care, education and other community services and facilities. The settlement strategy identifies the towns and villages that will act as a focus for the provision of services and facilities.

1.2 The Planning Authority recognises that services and facilities provided for the community must be accessible to all regardless of ability, location or circumstance. It recognises that differences in the ease of access can cause particular problems for particular groups in society. The Planning Authority through implementation of its planning polices will seek to mitigate against inequalities in access to services and facilities. This Plan provides for a strong settlement structure throughout the county with key towns to act as centres for the provision of services and facilities to smaller rural settlements and the surrounding countryside hinterland.

1.3 The calculation of the population size that a community service or facility can be established to provide for must take into account the rural population that a settlement serves and the seasonal fluctuations in population.

1.4 Table 6 shows the population thresholds for certain services and facilities and will be used in conjunction with existing and predicted population levels to determine the settlements that have a sufficient population mass to justify the presence of a particular service or facility.

2 Health Care

2.1 The future for the provision of health care service will be through the establishment of primary care centres where access to a range of health services including GP’s, nurses/midwives, health care assistants, home helps, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and administrative personnel. A range of other primary care professionals will be available across a range of primary care centres to provide specialist services. The primary care team will be brought together to serve small population groups of between 3000 and 7000 people depending on whether a regional is rural or urban.

2.2 Where such services are brought together and a need for built facilities is recognised, sites will be identified in settlements and safeguarded in Local Area Plans to provide for the establishment of local health care services. In towns and villages groups of health workers may be privately organised to provide collective services and their requirements in terms of identifying appropriate locations in settlements will be similarly supported.

2.3 In rural areas consideration will be given to the need for access to acute services remotely located in cities and large towns. Many rural areas in the county are not within one hours drive of such a facility and air transport by helicopter may be required. In safeguarding sites for primary health care services the needs for access by helicopter will be taken into consideration.

65 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3 Education

3.1 The county is served by more than 100 national schools and a range of community colleges and secondary schools spread throughout the settlements and in rural areas. The needs of the schools in terms of buildings and open space will vary according to pupil numbers which reflect not only the demographic changes throughout the county but the temporary popularity of different schools within areas.

3.2 A survey of one hundred and one national schools has revealed that fifteen are experiencing decline in student numbers thirty nine are experiencing no significant change and forty seven are experiencing an increase. Eight secondary schools are experiencing a similar level of change with three experiencing decline in student numbers four experiencing no significant change and one experiencing an increase. Even in the areas of the county recognised as being structurally weak whilst there are some schools showing decline (11) there are more schools with steady or rising pupil numbers (33).

3.3 Variations in pupil numbers and improvements in school facilities can result in a requirement for development. An increase of 10,000 people distributed primarily in the south and east of the county is likely to give rise to a need for six more national schools, three more secondary schools and increase the need for access to third level education in the county.

3.4 Changes in pupil numbers and educational policy can result in bringing together or closing schools so that sites or buildings are no longer required for educational purposes. The Planning Authority will support the positive reuse of these sites and buildings.

3.5 The Planning Authority in recognising the need for future development of new or existing schools and colleges and the University of Limerick will through its Local Area Plans identify and safeguard sites within settlements and support the positive reuse of redundant sites and buildings.

3.6 The Planning Authority wishes to encourage the development of third level educational opportunities in County Clare including the expansion of the University of Limerick campus and the development of other university facilities in the County.

4 Child Care Facilities

4.1 It is the objective of the Planning Authority to consider childcare proposals in the context of the Department of the Environment and Local Government's Childcare Facilities - Guidelines for Planning Authorities. It is the policy of the Planning Authority to seek the provision of childcare CDP 68 facilities in residential areas, employment areas, retail centres and other appropriate locations when developments within those areas are proposed.

4.2 The Planning Authority will have regard to the need to make provision for childcare facilities in proximity to public transport nodes where appropriate.

4.3 In considering proposals for development the Planning Authority will have regard to the following factors in the assessment of the suitability of sites for childcare facilities: - The Childcare (Preschool Services) Regulations, 1996, in relation to planning implications of these regulations. - The suitability of the site for the type and size of the facility proposed. - Availability of a safe outdoor play area as per Childcare(Preschool Services)Regulations, 1996.

4.4 The Planning Authority will have regard to current and future needs for childcare facilities when considering proposals for vacant units in existing built-up areas, neighbourhoods, district and town centres. Local Area Plans shall include policies to provide for the development of childcare facilities to reflect the demand within their areas. The Planning Authority may from time to time monitor such provision to ensure that adequate, well-located facilities that provide safe and convenient access to childcare are available. Land will be zoned for childcare facilities in response to a well founded 66 childcare needs analysis. Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 4.5 Childcare provision has been identified in the Government's National Anti-Poverty Strategy as being one measure that can address both poverty and social exclusion through combating educational disadvantage, facilitating participation in work by women, alleviating family stress and social isolation and supporting women in accessing training, education and employment within the childcare sector.

4.6 Any application for the provision of child care facilities must be accompanied by the following information to ensure the safe operation of the development: - the proposed number and age range of the children to be catered for; - the proposed number of staff, the ratio of staff to children and the maximum number of staff on the premises at any given time; - the hours and days of opening; - an indication of the internal floor space arrangements and for external play space provision; - a block layout plan indicating proposed car parking provision, landscaping and screening proposals, the means of access and internal vehicle manoeuvring space. The provision of child care facilities will be required on all residential developments in excess of 75 units of housing.

4.7 Proposals which involve development at locations such as a busy road junction or a dangerous and or the formation of a new vehicular access on to a main traffic route or where access standards cannot be achieved will not generally be permitted.

5 Community Centres

5.1 The Planning Authority recognises the importance buildings that can offer a centre for the focus of the communities secular activity. Throughout the county community halls and centres offer a space in which a range of activities can take place throughout the day and evening. Many of these centres result from the hard work of local communities who have raised funds to provide an opportunity for local groups to meet and social activities to take place. In some areas schools and churches can provide these facilities.

5.2 The Planning Authority recognises that each community should have such a facility and where such a facility exists a reasonable expectation of expansion and increase. In areas where there is settlement growth increasing populations will require the development of community centres in line with the development of residential areas.

5.3 Through the preparation of its Local Area Plans the Planning Authority will identify and safeguard sites for community facilities and seek to support the development of such facilities through the collection of development contributions.

6.0 Residential Homes

CDP 69 Development proposals for new, or extensions to, residential homes will be permitted provided that they would not significantly detract from the amenity and character of the surrounding area.

CDP 70 Development proposals for new residential homes in the countryside will need to demonstrate that there are no suitable, alternative sites available within any nearby settlement.

6.1 The Planning Authority is concerned to ensure that there is an adequate provision of residential homes where needed for those with particular and special needs. It is also important for the Council to ensure that the provision of such facilities does not detract from the existing amenity and environment of the surrounding area. The Planning Authority considers it appropriate that where possible residential homes are located within defined settlement boundaries. Where however it can be demonstrated that there are no suitable sites available or that there is a requirement for a rural location due to the nature of the services to be provided, a countryside location may be acceptable. 67 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

6.2 Residential homes are generally suited to existing residential areas, although the Council is keen to avoid a concentration in any one area as this would give rise to a significant loss of local character. Properties should have adequate amenity space and room for car parking according to the adopted parking standards. Particular attention will be paid to the visual effects of fire escapes, extensions and other external alterations on the surroundings, especially in designated Architectural Conservation Areas.

Table 6 : Services and Facilities, Population Thresholds

Facility Population Thresholds (Minimum) Primary School 500 Secondary School 2,500 Third Level Education/Technical College 20,000 Primary Care Centre Rural 3,000 Primary Care Centre Urban 5,000 General Hospital 30,000 Public House 500 Corner Shop 700 Group of Shops 1,500 Post Office 1,000 Library 10,000 Church 3,500 Local Community Centre 1,500 Youth Club 3,000 Sports Centre 10,000 Major Entertainment Facilities 20,000 Infants Play Area (0.8ha/1000 pop) 250 Playground/Local Green Space (0.8ha/1000 pop) 750 Playing Fields (2.4ha/1000 pop) 1,500 Local Open Space (1-12ha) (2.4ha/1000 pop) 1,000 Larger/Strategic Open Space (12ha+) (2.4ha/1000 pop) 5,000

68 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

H Recreation and Amenity

1.1 All settlements should have access to facilities appropriate to their size. The development of sustainable settlements and the creation of a high quality of life for resident and visitors is dependant upon a safe and convenient access to a range of recreational, sporting and amenity facilities within and close to settlements.

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to identify and safeguard sporting, recreational and leisure facilities through zoning and policies in the Local Area CDP 71 Plans. Proposals to replace or remove facilities for the provision of sport and leisure will only be permitted where alternative facilities are provided of equal or increased community benefit or it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposal would not result in, or increase, a present or future shortfall in such facilities.

2.1 The Planning Authority in considering its policy towards the development and retention of sporting facilities takes into account the needs of a range of sporting, leisure and recreational activities both passive, such as walking, bird watching, sight-seeing and active, such as field sports, badminton and swimming.

2.2 In considering the implementation of planning policy the Planning Authority will have regard to the Clare Sports Partnership Strategic Plan 2003 - 2005. The Planning Authority will engage with the Clare Sports Partnership in providing for the development of sport for all in the county.

2.3 The settlement strategy identifies the towns and villages that will act as a focus for the provision of sporting, leisure and recreational facilities that do not require an open countryside location. The determination of the population that facilities provide for must take into account the rural population that a settlement serves and the seasonal fluctuations in population.

2.4 Table 6 shows the population thresholds for facilities and will be used in conjunction with existing and predicted population levels to determine the settlements that have a sufficient population to justify and support the presence of a particular facility.

It is the policy of the Planning Authority to seek the provision of recreation and CDP 72 amenity facilities in considering proposals for the development and through the collection of development contributions.

2.5 The development of recreational facilities for residents and visitors to allow enjoyment and access to places of interest will include the identification, zoning and support for footpaths, cycleways and bridlepaths. Many of these facilities will be in several locations requiring vehicular or public transport access.

2.6 Amenity areas and car parking areas may be permitted for the enjoyment of and access to recreational facilities where they do not have a significant negative environmental impact. Amenity areas and car parks are necessary for visitors and local people to enjoy areas of natural beauty. In locating such facilities care must be taken to avoid negative impacts upon the landscape.

The Planning Authority will identify and safeguard walking routes, facilities for passive recreation and amenity areas that provide for the quiet enjoyment of the CDP 73 open countryside in its Local Area Plans. Proposals for development that would result in a loss of or significant adverse impact to a walking route, recreational facility or amenity area will not normally be permitted.

2.7 The existing walking routes include the East Clare Way, the Mid-Clare Way and the Burren Way. The Planning Authority is looking to establish a wider network of walks in the Burren, along the route of the former West Clare railway line and an Atlantic coastal path. The Planning Authority will work with local communities and interest groups to identify and support the establishment of walking, cycling and riding routes throughout the county. 69 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 3 Open Spaces

3.1 In settlements the provision of open space in the form of public open space, strategic open space and play areas is necessary for the creation of a good quality environment. The Planning Authority will prepare development guidelines to provide and develop public open space areas.

The Planning Authority will require that adequate functional open space areas be provided for residential developments. An area of 75 square metres of open space area will generally be required in respect of each dwelling within a CDP 74 residential scheme subject to a minimum provision of 10% of the total gross area of the site.

3.2 Open space areas will normally be required to comprise: major amenity areas; small play areas; and incidental visual open space. The areas of amenity open space will be required to be conveniently located within the development to provide a safe play area for children and should be overlooked by as many dwellings as possible.

3.3 Incidental open spaces such as road verges and margins, roundabouts, land associated with other infrastructural provision, or land which because of its nature and topography is not capable of being used for amenity purposes, will not be taken into account when the provision of amenity open space area is being assessed.

3.4 In some cases, infill residential schemes in the central areas of towns and villages may not be required to comply with the open space provision requirements, provided adequate play areas are provided together with areas provided with hard landscaping and for suitable passive recreation. The suitability of each such scheme in this respect will be considered on its individual design merits.

In addition to the provision of public open space for the benefits of the residents of a specific development, the Planning Authority will identify and safeguard areas in settlements in Local Area Plans for the provision of open space as being CDP 75 important to the character of the settlement or to provide public amenity or play areas for the benefit of the local community. The development of these areas will be achieved through the collection of development contributions.

3.5 There is a recognised deficit in the provision of amenity and play areas in all towns and villages throughout the county and this has a detrimental effect upon the environmental quality of those settlements. Many of the towns and villages of the county are set in an attractive countryside, have a special character built upon the open spaces within them or have in their growth absorbed natural landscape features into their settlement areas. Local Area Plans will identify and safeguard those areas where contributions to their acquisition or management can be supported by the Council through the collection of development contributions and the raising of other funds.

4 Public Footpaths

4.1 The Planning Authority believes that public rights-of-way in the countryside constitute an important amenity and economic asset. The public rights-of-way enable enjoyment of the County's high quality landscape and are important for tourism development and, in particular, low impact forms of tourism. It is, therefore, the Planning Authority's aim: - to establish a schedule of existing public rights-of-way within the County and to record and map these rights-of-way and - to assess the need for the provision of new rights-of-way in the light of the Schedule of established rights-of-way including an evaluation of a long distance coastal footpath.

4.2 Public rights of way will be identified in Local Area Plans and will include policies for their identification, creation, extension and diversion.

70 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

I Development Guidelines

1. Development guidelines addressing standards for development, and guidance for specific land uses has been a feature of previous development plans. The production of national planning guidance on a range of issues including wind energy, control of quarries, landscape and landscape assessment requires a wider range of issues to be considered by the Plan.

2. Guidelines and strategies are not planning policy but will advise those seeking to develop and promote good development practice. Strategies are prepared to support policy implementation and provide a longer term perspective than can be provided within the confines of the development plan.

3. The Planning Authority has produced the Clare County House Design Guide for Houses in the Countryside which underpins the rural housing policies of the Plan.

4. The Planning Authority in consultation with relevant communities, organisations and interest groups will prepare the following strategies and guidelines for dealing with development issues arising from the policies adopted within this plan.

Urban Housing Guidelines

5. This document will address issues of urban housing design, layout and density and standards for urban housing.

Conservation Guidelines

6. The Plan contains development objectives for protected structures and architectural conservation areas. These guidelines will address issues concerning development in architectural conservation areas and compliment the national guidance on Architectural Conservation.

Village Design Guidelines

7. An initiative under the Heritage Plan is to work with local communities in settlements to increase awareness in the built heritage and to prepare guidance for development within specific settlements that reflects the values of the local community.

8. A village design statement has been prepared for Tulla and the process can be repeated in towns and villages where there is sufficient community interest.

Indicative Forest Strategy

9. The Forest Service is preparing this strategy in consultation with interested parties. It will identify preferred areas for the promotion of forestry planting in the county.

Wind Energy Strategy

10. The Planning Authority has met with the wind energy developers to prepare a strategy for the development of wind energy production and distribution infrastructure in the county. In line with national guidelines the strategy will seek to identify preferred areas, areas open for consideration and no go areas to guide development.

Minerals And Aggregates Strategy

11. The draft guidelines of the control of quarries promotes the idea of a clear strategy for aggregates. The strategy will seek to identify the extent of the resource, the existing extraction operations, the reserves secured by operators and the extent of a strategic reserve of minerals and aggregates which recognises the environmental issues that may limit it. 71 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 Car and Cycle Parking Standards Land Use Tier 2 Town Centres Other Areas Cycle Parking Dwelling 1 for 3 bed 2 for 4 bed 1 for 3 bed, 2 for 4 bed With garage none Without garage 1 secure space per unit Flat/Apartment 0.75 space per bedroom 0.75 spaces per 1 secure space per bedroom flat/apartment Guesthouse/B&B 1 space per bedroom 1 space per bedroom 1 secure place per 10 plus 1 space plus 1 space bedrooms Hotel 1 space per bedroom 1 space per bedroom 1 secure space per 10 plus 1 space per 10 plus 1 per 10 bedrooms bedrooms bedrooms 1 secure space per 100 sq.m of dining area 4 spaces per 100 sq.m of bar/dance floor Hostel 1 space per bedroom 1 space per bedroom 1 secure space per 10 bed spaces Caravan/Camping Site 1 space per pitch 1 space per pitch 1 space per pitch

General 2 spaces per 100 sq.m 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 100 sq.m Industry/Manufacturing Warehousing 1 space per 100 sq.m. 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 1000 sq.m

Offices 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees 1 space per 100 sq.m Medical/Dental/Bank/ 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 3 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees Financial/Insurance 1 space per consulting room Local Shop 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 3 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees 24 spaces per 100 sq.m Shopping Centre or Large 5 spaces per 100 sq.m. 6 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees Retail Store (>1000 sq.m 24 spaces per 1000 sq.m gross floorspace) Hot Food Take-aways 3 spaces per take-away 3 spaces per take-away 1 space per 8 employees 1 space per 100 sq.m Petrol Filling Station 1 space per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees

Cash & Carry 3 spaces per 100 sq.m. 4 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees 20 spaces per 1000 sq.m Retail Warehousing 4 spaces per 100 sq.m. 5 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees 20 spaces per 1000 sq.m Restaurant/Cafe 10 spaces per 100 sq.m. 12.5 spaces per 100 1 space per 8 employees sq.m. 5 spaces per 100 sq.m

Creche/Playschool/ 1 per employee and 0.25 1 per employee and 0.25 1 space per 8 employees Nursery spaces per child per child

Ballroom/Dance 20 spaces per 100 sq.m 33.3 spaces per 100 2 spaces per 100 sq.m Club/Function Room sq.m. Cinema/Theatre 0.25 spaces per seat 0.33 spaces per seat 1 space per 20 fixed seats Licensed Premises 10 spaces per 100 sq.m. 33.3 spaces per 100 1 space per 8 employees sq.m.

72 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

Amusement Arcades 1 space per 100 sq.m. 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 100 sq.m

Hospital 1 space per patient bed 1 space per patient bed 1 space per 8 employees 5 spaces per 100 beds Nursing Home 0.33 spaces per patient 0.33 spaces per patient 1 space per 8 employees bed bed 5 spaces per 100 beds Primary School 1 space per classroom 1.5 spaces per 1 space per 8 employees classroom 1 space per 10 students Secondary 1 space per classroom 2 spaces per classroom 1 space per 8 employees School/College 1 space per 5 students Church 0.1 spaces per 100 0.2 spaces per 100 1 space per 20 fixed sq.m. sq.m. seats Library/Museum 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 4 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees 4 spaces per 100 sq.m Golf Course/Pitch & 2 spaces per hole 4 spaces per hole Putt

Golf Driving Range 0.25 per 0.5m base line 0.5 spaces per 0.5m base line

Athletics/Playing Fields 5 per track/field 10 per track/field 2 spaces per track/field Tennis Courts 1 space per court 2 spaces per court 2 spaces per court

Community 2 spaces per 100 sq.m. 4 spaces per 100 sq.m. 1 space per 8 employees Centre/Sports Centre 4 spaces per 100 sq.m Bowling Alley 2 spaces per lane 3 spaces per lane 1 space per 8 employees 0.5 space per lane Swimming Pool 5 spaces per 100 sq.m. 10 spaces per 100 1 space per 8 employees sq.m 5 spaces per 100 sq.m Notes:

Where reference is made to floor areas, it shall imply gross floor area.

A secured space is a space inside a building or structure where no part of the bicycle is accessible.

If a restaurant is included with a hot-food take-away then additional parking standards will apply.

Additional operational car parking spaces may be required for Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

For Primary and Secondary Schools a bus circulation area may also be required.

For a Community Centre/Sports Centre a minimum of two car parking spaces per small court and ten per large court will be required.

73 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

74 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

J Development Contributions

1. The Planning Authority are required by section 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to adopt a development contribution scheme to identify the quantity and distribution of contributions towards an adopted capital works and refurbishment programme for public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the county and to make equitable provision for community facilities, open spaces, and amenities including recreational amenities to reflect the objectives of the Plan.

2. The Planning Authority have prepared a development contribution scheme for the Plan area. The development contribution scheme will provide the means of facilitating the capital works, including the acquisition of land, associated with policies for the provision of public infrastructure including community facilities, open spaces and ameneities including recreational amenities.

3. The Planning Authority will require all developers, unless otherwise exempted, to pay development contributions in line with an adopted development contribution scheme at the time of development or as otherwise agreed. Where works are being carried out by developers, with the agreement in writing of the Planning Authority, that would otherwise be funded from development contributions, monies may be recovered by the developers from the council for the provision of those works in excess of those necessary for the benefit or facilitation of the development.

75 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

76 APPENDIX 1: ENVIRONMENTAL APPRAISAL

1 Introduction

1.1 Part II of The Planning and Development Act, 2000 provides at section 10.5(a) that a Development Plan should contain information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementation of the Plan.

1.2 It is a responsibility of the planning system to protect and enhance the local environment. Controls over built heritage and important areas of the countryside are well established. In recent years however, the responsibility has increased in order to recognise the concern expressed about global environmental change. A key challenge is therefore to address the threats posed by global warming and the depletion of natural resources. Planning Authorities must incorporate the principles of sustainable development into the planning process.

1.3 Sustainable development has been defined by the Brundtland Commission (1987) as: "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

1.4 The word 'sustainable' is intended to reflect the objective and policy for continued economic and social development, without detriment to the environment and the natural resources on the quality of which continued human activity and further development depend.

1.5 The planning system and the preparation of Development Plans in particular, can contribute to the objectives of ensuring that development and growth are sustainable. Planning authorities are required to draw up Development Plans which take environmental considerations comprehensively and consistently into account. The primary means by which this can be ensured is through conducting an iterative 'Environmental Appraisal' of the Plan. Such an appraisal is a means of identifying, quantifying, weighing up and reporting on the environment and other costs and benefits of the implementation of the Development Plans objectives and policies. Its purpose is to show that environmental concerns have been fully integrated into the plan-making process. The value and purpose of environmental appraisal is: - To clarify the environmental aspects of the Development Plan; - To understand the implications for the environment of any objective, policy or group of objectives and policies; - To enable the implications for different, wide-ranging and potentially conflicting aspects of the environment to be identified; and - To explain to users of the Development Plan how the policies have regard to environmental matters.

1.6 The principles of such an appraisal process have been built into the preparation of the draft of the Clare County Development Plan 2005. A Heritage Appraisal of the 1999 Development Plan provides a baseline from which a reiterative process can be built. The proposed policies have been appraised in terms of the change from the baseline position and the degree to which the policies will have a beneficial impact on the environment and these which fail to achieve this. The policies have been continuously appraised during the preparation of the Plan in respect of their environmental impacts at both a local and global level. 2 Environmental Stock Criteria

2.1 An environmental appraisal requires a baseline so that objectives and policies can be considered in relation to the changes they are likely to make. Characterising the environment through an assessment of environmental stock provides the baseline. Objectives and policies can then be examined to identify whether they have a positive or negative impact on the stock. Using environmental stock in appraisal requires a prior attempt to catalogue and quantify all that has environmental value in the Development Plan area.

2.2 The identification of specific criteria aids the appraisal process. It ensures a degree of consistency throughout and acts as an aide memoire when considering the full range of potential environmental impacts. Three levels of concern are identified, namely: Global Sustainability, Local Environmental Resources and Local Environmental Quality. These address a wide range of environmental issues and are seen to consist of several key concerns.

3 Global Sustainability

3.1 This concerns the ability of the earth to sustain a decent quality of life for future generations. It means that steps must be taken now to reduce consumption of finite resources such as fossil fuels and to address the issue of global climate change. Global Sustainability criteria are:

Finite Land Resources - the protection of reserves of land, fossil fuels and other minerals which are necessary to sustain current forms of industrialisation and lifestyles. Management of scarce land, energy and mineral resources is a key sustainability goal. Planning has influence over both directly through control of development and indirectly through the amount and nature of development, the encouragement of reuse and regeneration of land and buildings and the promotion of recycling.

Transport Energy Efficiency - motorised transportation has a detrimental impact on the environment. There is a need to reserve the trends of increasing reliance on private motorised vehicles through a switch from private to public transport and other more environmentally friendly modes of transport. There is a simultaneous need to bring about a reduction in the need to travel.

Built Environment Energy Efficiency - buildings are major consumers of energy and source of carbon dioxide emission. There are several ways in which planning can encourage a more efficient use of energy. There is significant potential to save energy throughout the built environment through the siting of buildings, the layout and density, design, technical specification and reuse of materials. There is also the possibility to investigate the potential of Combined Heat and Power stations.

Renewable Energy Potential - increasing interest is now shown in the potential of exploiting wind, tidal, wave, water, geothermal and biofuel resources to develop new energy supplies. Policies should seek to safeguard this potential.

Rate of Carbon Dioxide Fixing- Plants play a crucial role in maintaining a steady level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There is therefore a need to protect existing woodlands and plan for new tree planting schemes as part of development proposals in order to help offset the massive carbon dioxide emissions resulting from energy usage by transport, industry and domestic purposes. 4 Local Environmental Resources

4.1 There is a range of natural resources which are essential to life on earth. It is important to protect the quality of these resources so as to ensure a healthy environment for both the people and the flora and fauna of the planet. Pollution is a major threat to rivers, seas, land and the atmosphere. Increasing pressures for development, modern agricultural practices and the rising number of private motor vehicles all contribute to a degradation of the local environmental resources. The Local Environmental Resources criteria are set out below:

Water Conservation, Retention and Quality - an appropriate level of water quality, retention and supply is important for domestic, industrial and recreational uses and is also important for the maintenance of wetland habitats. Planning impacts on the level and quality of watercourses through the nature and location of development and the pattern of recreational use. Objectives and policies should seek to protect and improve the quality and supply of water in the various rivers and other water resources in the county. Planning must also consider the need protect floodplain and floodrisk areas and to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water retention and detention areas available.

Land and Soil Quality - it is important to retain high quality agricultural land for future food production and to safeguard land against contamination and dereliction. The minimisation of use of land for development is a further important consideration.

Air Quality - pollutants in the atmosphere have negative effects on both the local Environment and global sustainability. The main sources of pollution are traffic, industry and power stations. Planning influences the level and impact of traffic and the impact of noxious industries. Urban form and landscape policies can influence the rate of pollution absorption. Policies should look to reduce emissions of pollutants.

Wildlife Habitats - there is a recognition of the needs of flora and fauna. Both are seen as important for aesthetic, recreational and sustainability reasons. Special protection should be afforded to designated sites of nature conservation importance and enhancement carried out if possible. The EU Habitat Directive requires the protection and management of features of major importance for wildlife and expects local wildlife habitat networks to be protected.

5 Local Environmental Quality

5.1 The quality of the local environment impacts directly on the lives of people. A safe and healthy environment enhances the quality of life. Aesthetic values are attached to attractive landscapes and buildings. Preservation of the local environment may also have positive impacts of wider environmental significance. The Local Environmental Quality criteria are set out below.

Landscape - the distinctiveness of the local landscape forms an important element in defining the character of the county. It is highly valued by residents and visitors alike, but is also subject to development pressures. Some areas have been afforded special protection. Objectives and policies should aim to protect and enhance the landscape.

Townscape - this concerns the form of the built environment in the larger towns and villages within the Development Plan area. Buildings play an important role in defining the character of the area. Objectives and policies should therefore seek to integrate modern development sensitively with the past form and enhance the built environment where possible.

Cultural Heritage - Links to the past enrich understanding of culture and place current times in a historical context. Therefore, people attach special significance to historic buildings and artefacts. Policies should give regard to those features recognised through statutory designations such as Architectural Conservation Areas and the Record of Protected Structures. Open Space - This refers to the protection of functional amenity space available through parks and other recreational lands in towns and villages as well as strategic open spaces providing a setting for development.. They provide important opportunities for recreation but also have visual and ecological qualities. It is desirable to protect and enhance these areas and to retain public access where possible.

Quality of Life - This recognises the major influence of environmental factors upon people's overall quality of life. Social and economic factors are important but there are also key local environmental concerns such as noise, smell and health and safety conditions, that affect people. Pollutants and the risks created by dangerous installations need to be recognised and limited.

Social Inclusion- This recognises the divisions that exist in society that leads to certain groups of people becoming disadvantaged by their condition or circumstance. Choices made in the location of and support for settlements to act as a focus for services and facilities need to ensure their is equal opportunity of access for all. Policies should be for the benefit of all and not explicitly or implicitly exclude certain groups of people.

6 Appraisal Process

6.1 The appraisal process is a product of a reiterative discussion about the impact of policies and strategies within the Plan. The table set out below allows for consideration of each policy under the various criteria identified. Completion of the table will be undertaken to produce a final assessment to be included in the adopted Clare County Development Plan.

6.2 The environmental stock criteria form a checklist against which individual objectives and policies can be assessed. This ensures that a comprehensive and consistent approach is taken. The following matrix allows the potential impacts of Development Plan policies on the various aspects of the environment to be identified. Positive impacts will be shown with a ‘ + ’, negative with a ‘ - ’ Where an impact is likely but unpredictable or uncertain a ‘ ? ‘ symbol will be used. Where no significant impacts are expected the square is left blank. The conclusions drawn from the matrix allow the Council to identify how effective the objectives and policies are in achieving the sustainable development objectives of the Plan.

6.3 The appraisal is based on assumptions about the relationships between the environment and development. The process has not involved detailed studies into these relationships as would be expected of environmental assessment of individual development proposals.

6.4 It should also be noted that the appraisal only considers the environmental effects of the Development Plan's objectives and policies, social and economic effects are not the subject of this appraisal process.

7 Conclusions

7.1 The environmental appraisal provides for an explicit, systematic and iterative review of the Development Plan's objectives and policies and their individual and combined impacts on the environment. The appraisal has been an integral part of the plan-making process and will continue to inform the preparation of the Development Plan. GLOBAL SUSTAINABLILITY LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES QUALITY Renewable Energy Efficiency Policy Reference Built Environment Energy Efficient Transport Energy Efficient Open Space Finite Land Resources Social Inclusion Quality of Life

Wildlife Habitats Landscape

Rate of Carbon Dioxide Fixing Townscape Cultural Heritage Air Quality

Water Conservation retention and Quality Land and Soil Quality SS1 SS2 SS3 SS4 SS5 SS6 CDP1 CDP2 CDP3 CDP4 CDP5 CDP6 CDP7 CDP8 CDP9 CDP10 CDP11 CDP12 CDP13 CDP14 CDP15 CDP16 CDP17 CDP18 CDP19 CDP20 CDP21 CDP22 CDP23 CDP24 CDP25 CDP26 CDP27 CDP28 CDP29 CDP30 CDP31 CDP32 CDP33 CDP34 CDP35 CDP36 CDP37 CDP38 CDP39 CDP40 CDP41 CDP42 CDP43 CDP44 CDP45 CDP46 CDP47 CDP48 CDP49 CDP50 CDP51 CDP52 CDP53 CDP54 CDP55 CDP56 CDP57 CDP58 CDP59 CDP60 CDP61 CDP62 CDP63 CDP64 CDP65 CDP66 CDP67 CDP68 CDP69 CDP70 CDP71 CDP72 CDP73 CDP74

Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Appendix Two - Scenic Routes

- Coast Road from County Boundary (along the Kinvarra Road) to Quilty including spur to Doolin - N67 from Ballyvaughan to Corkscrew Hill - R480 from Ballyvaughan to Leamaneh Castle - R476 from Leamaneh Castle to Corofin - R476 from Leamaneh Castle to Kilfenora - Series of roads from junction of R476 through Porkabinna to Castletown & south west to Seshymore, northwards from Carran through Rannagh townland - Road from Caherconnell to Carran - Series of roads from Carran through Fahee south, north to Glencolmcille south, northwards to Keelhilla (cross), westwards through Pullagh, Coolnatullagh & Coskeam to Fahee south. - Road from townland of Turlough to Aghawinnaun. - From church in New Quay, Behagh to end of public road. - From junction at Fanore and R477 south eastwards to Lislareenbeg. - From road junction Formoyle east, southwards to Lismorahaun. - Series of roads southwards from junction at Fannoremore to junction at Blake's mountain and westwards to junction with R477 at Crumlin - Series of roads from junction at Ballynalacken Casle through townlands of Ballylnalacken, Carrownycleary, Ballynahown, Poulnagun & Cloughaun - R474 From Connolly to Miltown Malbay - R487 from Kilfearagh to T junction before Breaghva - R487 From outside Carrigholt to Loop Head - Along coast road from Carrigaholt to Doonaha - Coast road south east of Cappagh to Carrowdotin south - R473 from outside Labasheeda to T junction before Kildysert - Road through Ballysallagh east, southwards to Ballycally - From Brickhill bridge north east to road junction at Reaskcamoge - Road from Cratloe north east through Gallows Hill to Glennagross. - Views in and out of Lough Cullaunyheeda. - Views in and out of Doon Lough. - R466 between Broadford and O'Briensbridge. - R463from O'Briensbridge through Killaloe to outside Ogonnelloe. - R463 from Tuamgraney to Mountshannon. - Roads surrounding Lough Graney. - R487 from junction at Carrounaveehaun along the coast road to Kilkee Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011 RPS No. HOUSES (North-West Clare) Description 1 Abbey House, Bealaclugga Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1820 single- 2 Aughiska More, Doolin Detached 4-bay, single-storey cottage c.1850 4 Ballinalacken House Single storey, three-bay, hip roofed house, ove 3 Ballyallaban House, Ballyvaughan 19th/17thc. single storey house and out-buildin 5 Ballykeel House, Kilfenora Detached 5-bay, 2-storey over basement hous 6 Ballyshanny House, Kilfenora Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1810 7 Ballyvelaghan, Former N.S., New Quay Former National School c.1861 8 Bridge Hostel, Fanore Detached 3-bay, 2-storey L-plan former Garda 10 Fanta Glebe, Kilfenora Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house. C.1790 11 Finavarra House, Finnavarra Ruined detached 3-bay, 2-storey house built c 503 Forgaard's Cottage, Doon Hill, Kilfenora Single storey, 4-bay, moher-slated, stone cotta 12 Gregan's Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan Detached 6-bay, 2-storey house c. 1750 13 Hollywell House, Kilfenora Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c. 1790 14 J. M. Mooney & Sons, Ballyvaughan Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1850 488 Moher slated house, Cullenagh, Ennistymon 2 storey, gabled, moher roof c.1850 15 Mount Vernon Lodge, New Quay Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1790 16 Moy House, Lehinch Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1830 491 Nagles, Ballykerin, Kilfenora Two-storey, 3-bay, gabled, moher-slated house 17 Rockmount House, New Quay Single storey, five bay, gabled house, c. 1800 18 Sandfield Lodge, Knocknaraha, Kilshanny Five-bay, single storey house c.1775

HOUSES (West Clare) 19 Atlantic Lodge, Breaffy South, Spanish Point Detached 3-bay, 2-storey former coastguard st 20 Billowville, Breaffy South, Spanish Point Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house, 1820 21 Birchfield House, Beaghy, Liscannor Entrance to ruined Birchfield house, c.1800 22 Derreen, Liscannor Detached 5-bay, single-storey former school ho 23 Eyreville Park, Mullagh Two-storey, three bay, house, pre 1845 24 Fulford House, Legard South, Miltown Malbay Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1840 25 Mother McAuley Hse., Spanish Point Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1830 28 Organ's Cottage, Ballagh West, Ennistymon Single storey, four bay,stone, 19thc slated hou 26 Stella Maris, Leagard South, Spanish Point Detached 3-bay, single-storey house, c.1870 27 The Retreat, Spanish Point Four bay, single storey house c.1825

HOUSES (South-West Clare) 29 Ballyartney House, Labasheeda Detached 3-bay, 2-storey double pile house wi 30 Ballycorick House, Ballynacally Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house, c.1820 483 Besborough House, Killimer Irregular, two/three-storey, hipped roof house c.1780 31 Clondegad House, Ballynacally Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1820 478 Cob-walled farmhouse, Tarmon, Knock Single storey, 4-bay house c. 1800 32 Costelloe's, Querrin, Kilkee Single-storey, five-bay, 19thc cottage. 33 Danganella House, Cooraclare Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 34 Doonnagurroge House, Killimer Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 incorp.15thc. 35 Knocknagore House, Doonbeg Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house, c.1820 36 Oaklands, Knock Detached 5-bay, single-storey house c.1800 37 The Glebe House, Clondegad, Ballynacally Detached 3-bay, 2-storey over basement Glebe Hous

HOUSES (Mid Clare) 38 Ardsollus, Former Railway Station, Quin Detached 3-bay, single-storey former railway station 39 Ballyallia House, Ballyallia, Ennis Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house on U-shaped plan b 40 Ballygriffey House, Ballygriffey, Ennis 5 bay, 2 storey 19th century farmhouse with out-build 41 Ballyhannon House, Quin Detached 3-bay, 2-storey L-plan house c.1820 42 Barntick House, Clarecastle Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house, dated 1661, renova 43 Buncraggy House, Clarecastle Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1780 44 Bushypark House, Ennis Three-bay, two-storey house c.1820, summer house 45 Cahercalla House, Ennis Five bay, two-storey house c.1810 plus outbuildings. 46 Carnelly House, Carnelly, Clarecastle Detached 5-bay, 3-storey over basement house c.17 482 Drumcore Cottage, Crusheen Two-storey, 4-bay, hipped roof house c.1770 47 Edenvale House, Ennis Two-storey, nine-bay, hip-roofed house c.1770,outbu 48 Glenard House, Manusmore, Clarecastle Detached 3-bay, 2-storey L-plan house c. 1820 49 Glenquin House, Killinaboy Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1860 51 Maghera Former National School, Crusheen Detached single-storey former national school on T-s 52 Manus House, Clarecastle Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1810 53 Manus South House, Clarecastle Three-bay, two-storey house c.1840, outbuildings, pie 513 McCabes' House, Skehanagh, Clarecastle Single-storey, four bay 19th c. farmhouse with dorme 64 Moher slated cottage, Killeen Junction, Corofin Single storey, four bay cottage with Moher-slate roof. 54 Mollaneen House, Dysert, Corofin Detached ruinous 4-bay 2-storey house, c.1770 55 Moyriesk House, Quin Detached 3-bay, 2-storey section of larger house c.17 56 New Park House, Ennis 17th c. two-storey, five-bay, crennellated house with 57 Newhall House, Clarecastle Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1765 50 O'Grady's, Carrowcraheen, Tubber Four bay, two storey building c.1890 487 Paradise House, Ballinacally 2.5 storey, gabled, chateau-style house 17th/19th ce 58 Quinville Abbey, Quin Three-storey, five-bay gothicised house, 18th / 19thc 59 Roughan House, Kilnaboy Two-storey, three-bay house with central side- 60 Synge's Lodge, Dysert O'Dea, Corofin Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1861 61 Thomond Villas, Former Barracks, Clarecastle Detached 3-storey former army barracks buildi 489 Thornville House, Ruan Two-storey, L-shaped, 3-bay house c.1880 62 Tiermaclane House, Tiermaclane, Clarecastle Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 63 Toonagh House, Toonagh, Quin Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 514 Wood House, Moyriesk, Quin Mid 19th c. two-storey, three-bay farmhouse, fo

HOUSES (North-East Clare) 65 Affick House, Tulla Single storey, 18th/19th century, five-bay, hip r 72 Ballyblood, Murphy's, Lissofin Farm, Tulla Single storey, 19th c. Single storey, "T" shaped 66 Brook Lawn House, Tuamgraney Detached 3-bay, 2-storey former rectory c.1800 67 Derrymore House, Clogher Five-bay, two-storey house c.1820 & building c 68 Fort Edward, Coolready Td., Bodyke Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1845 69 Furnace, Former Barracks, Whitegate Detached 3-bay, 2-storey former constabulary 70 Meelick House, Whitegate Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1820 71 Tyredagh Spa House, Ballyblood, Tulla Detached 3-bay, single-storey house with dorm 520 Williamstadt House, Whitegate 3-bay, two-storey, hip-roofed house with two-st

HOUSES (South-East Clare) 73 Ardnataggle, Bridgetown, Blacksmiths Cottage Single storey, four bay 18th/19th Blacksmith's 74 Ballycar House, Newmarket-on-Fergus Detached 3-bay, single-storey house c.1810 75 Ballycuneen House, Drumline, Sixmilebridge Detached 3-bay, 2-storey over basement hous 76 Belvoir House, Kilkishen Remains of five bay, two storey house c1820 77 Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty Detached 5-bay, 2 storey former house c.1810 78 Bunratty House, Bunratty Detached 3-bay, 2-storey over basement hous 79 Cloonlara House, Clonlara Detached 2-bay, 2-storey Glebe House c.1810 80 Cratloe Woods House, Cratloe Detached 13-bay 2-storey house c.1625 81 Cullaun Castle, Kilkishen Ruinous detached 3-bay, 2-storey over basem 82 Derrymore Hse., Derrymore East, Kilkishen Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 83 Doonass House, Cloonlara Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house, c.1780 84 Former National School, Parteen. 19thc.Single storey, Six bay, Gabled N.S. now 85 Former National School, Newmarket-on-Fergus Terraced 4-bay, 2-storey former school house 499 Heathmount Lodge, Cratloe Single storey, 3-bay, gabled house, r-return 18 86 Hurdleston House, Limerick Road, Broadford Detached 4-bay, 2-storey over basement hous 87 Kilkishen House, Kilkishen Two-storey, seven-bay house c.1740, outbuildi 88 Mount Ievers, Sixmilebridge Detached 7-bay, 3-storey over basement Geor 497 Murphys, Main Street, Kilkishen Terraced, 3-bay, 2-storey, gabled house c.1880 89 Two Mile Gate Cottage, Ballycuggeran, Killaloe Single storey, four bay 19th cottage with local slate ro 90 Newmarket House, Newmarket-on-Fergus Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house, c.1840 91 Riverside, O'Briens Bridge Detached 7-bay, 2-storey house c.1825 92 Parteenalax, Parteen Four bay, single storey cut stone house, 1901 93 Quinnsborough House, Parteen Detached 4-bay, 2-storey house, c.1765 94 Ross House, O'Briensbridge Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house, c.1780 95 Tinerana House, Killaloe Eight-bay, two-storey guest house c.1860 96 Walton Lodge, Ballysheen Beg, Sixmilebridge Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1800

CHURCHES (Rural) 98 All Saints Catholic Church, Boston Three-bay, single-storey Catholic Church c.1850 99 Catholic Church, Lisroe, Kilbane Three-bay, single-storey T-plan Catholic church c.185 100 Christ Church, Ballycorick, Knappoge Three bay, "T" shaped Catholic Church dated 1860 114 Church of Immaculate Conception, Ballinruan Three bay, L shaped Catholic Church c.1860 103 Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Bodyke Three-bay, single-storey Catholic church dated 1844 104 Church of Saint Conaire, Carrigerry Single-cell church c.1850 105 Church of Saint John, Kilmaley Three-bay, single-storey T-plan Catholic church built 106 Church of Saint Mary, Mullagh T-plan church, built 1839 107 Church of Saints Peter & Paul, Clarecastle Singe-storey T-plan Catholic church built 1839 108 Church of St. John the Baptist, Clarecastle T-plan Church built 1857 109 Church of St. John, Cratloe Single-storey T-plan Catholic Church c.1791 111 Church of St. Mary, Feakle Four-bay, single-storey cruciform Catholic Church da 113 Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Carrigaholt Single-storey T-plan Catholic Church built 1836 115 Church of the Immaculate Conception, Inagh Five-bay, single-storey church built 1858 102 Church of the Mother of God, Truagh, Cloghera Five bay, cruciform, Catholic church dated 1843 118 Clondegad Church of Ireland, Ballynacally Two-bay, single-storey Church of Ireland church c.18 119 Cloonlara Church of Ireland, Cloonlara Two-bay, single-storey Church of Ireland church c.18 506 Crossard Moravian Church, Crossard, Kilnaboy 1 8thc Moravian Church (in ruins) 122 East Clare Heritage & C of Ireland, Tuamgraney Church of Ireland church incorporating 10th century b 124 Kilfenora, C of I, Cathedral, Kilfenora Four-bay Medieval Church of Ireland Cathedral 125 Kilkishen Church of Ireland, Kilkishen Two-bay, single-cell Church of Ireland church dated 1 126 Killalagh Ch. Knockfin Cross Roads, Roadford Five-bay Catholic Church. C.1820 502 Kilnasoolagh Church of Ireland, Newmarket Church, Lych-gates and Monuments. 127 Knockjames Catholic Church, Tulla Three-bay double height church c.1850 128 Little Church of Cratloe, Sixmilebridge Four-bay, single-storey Catholic Church dated 1858 129 Maghera Roman Catholic Church Five-bay, single-storey Catholic Church, c.1925 131 Most Holy Redeemer Church, Coor West Gable fronted, four-bay Catholic church 1865 132 Our Lady of the Wells, Hurler's Cross Three-bay, single storey T-plan Catholic Churc 133 Sacred Heart Church, Garraunboy, Killaloe Five-bay, single-storey Catholic Church dated 134 St Benedict's Church, Coolmeen Three-bay, single-storey T-plan Catholic Churc 137 St Joseph's Church, Kilnamona Three-bay, single-storey Catholic church built 1 138 St Mary's Church, Creegh Four-bay single-storey Catholic Church, built 1 139 St Michael's Church, Connolly Five-bay, single-storey Catholid church c.1860 140 St Michael's Church, Kilmihil Single-storey T-shaped Catholic Church, built 141 St Mochua's Church, Noughaval Single-cell Catholic church c.1840 142 St Senan's Church, Bealaha Five-bay, single-storey Catholic Church built 18 143 St Senan's Church, Cloonlara Four-bay, single-storey Catholic Church, built 1 144 St. Attracta's Catholic Church, Kiltoraght Three bay, Single cell Catholic Church c.1870 145 St. Augustine's Church, Kilshanny Six-bay Catholic Church c.1893 146 St. Brigid's Church Liscannor Four-bay single-storey single-cell Catholic Chu 149 St. Columba's Catholic Church, Teerleheen Detached four-bay, single-cell Church dated 18 148 St. Columba's Church, Carran Single cell church, with porch c.1861 150 St. Criodan's Church, Doonaha 4-bay single-storey T-plan Catholic Church wit 151 St. Cronan's Church, Crusheen Three-bay T-plan Catholic Church c.1830 152 St. Fachanan's Church, Kilfenora Cruciform Catholic Church c.1865 154 St. Flannan's Church, Barefield, Ennis Five-bay single-storey Catholic church built 18 156 St. John The Baptist's Church, Ballyvaughan Five-bay, neo-Gothic Catholic Church c.1860 157 St. John The Baptist's Church, Meelick, Six-bay, single-storey cruciform Catholic churc 158 St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Kilnamona Single-cell, double height church dated 1842 159 St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Tuamgraney Five-bay, single-cell church 1870 160 St. Joseph's Former Church, Killinaboy Three-bay, single-cell former Catholic Church c 161 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ballylaghnan Five-bay, "T" shaped church c.1810 162 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Moy Beg Single bay, Gable fronted Catholic Church c.18 163 St. Mary's Church, Roxton, Corofin Four-bay, single-storey Catholic Church c.1870 165 St. Michael's Church, Tubber Four-bay single-cell Church c.1850 166 St. Patrick's Church of Ireland, Parteen Five-bay, single-cell church c.1840 (disused) 167 St. Patrick's Church, New Quay Six-bay, single-storey Catholic Church, built 19 168 St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Parteen Four-bay, single-storey Catholic Church c.1850 169 St. Senan's Church Carrowdotia, Killimer Three-bay, single-storey T-plan Catholic church 170 St. Senan's Church, Cooraclare Single-storey T-plan Catholic Church, built 183 171 St. Senan's Church, Knockerra Three bay, gable fronted, Catholic church date 172 St. Thomas' Catholic Church, Bridgetown, Four bay, single cell church c.1980 173 St. Tola's Catholic Church, Ruan Five-bay, cruciform Church dated 1910 97 Star of theSea Catholic Church, Quilty Four-bay, single storey "T" shaped church c.1909 175 Toomaghera Church, Kilmoon West Five-bay church with chancel and porch c.1860, grav 176 Whitegate Furniture, Former Church, Whitegate Four-bay single-storey former Catholic church c.1875

GRAVEYARDS 177 Church of Ireland Graveyard, Feakle Graveyard adjacent to Church of Ireland built c.1820 178 Church of Ireland Graveyard, Tulla Graveyard with memorials and mausolea 1800-1900 179 Graveyard, Flag Rd, Milltown Malbay Graveyard to former Church of Ireland, built 1802

BRIDGES 181 Aghy Bridge, Kildeema South/Knockanalban Two-arch rubble stone bridge over river c.1800 182 Aughadereen Bridge, Coracloon, Feakle Four arch stone bridge c.1850 183 Ballycorick Bridge, Ballynacally Five-span road bridge over river and estuary c.1800 498 Ballyhee Bridge and Cutting, Drumcliffe, Ennis Bridge and stone abutments 1848 184 Ballymacquiggan Bridge, Drumcliff Two-arch, coursed stone bridge over river c.1830 185 Bealaclugga Bridge, Spanish Point Single lancet-arch road bridge over river c.1824 186 Blackweir Bridge, Doonbeg Five-arched road bridge over estuary c.1800 187 Bleach Bridge, Islandmore, Caher Single arch, cut stone bridge c. 1840 188 Bridge, Kilbane, Broadford Single arch, stone bridge over river c.1820 189 Bridge, Kildeema South, Miltown Malbay Single-arch, cut stone bridge over river c.1840 190 Bridgetown Bridge Two arch, stone bridge over river c.1850 191 Bunratty Bridge, Bunratty Single span road bridge over river dated 1804 192 Bunshoon Bridge, Flagmount Five-arch stone road bridge over river. C.1820 193 Canal Bridge, O'Brien's Bridge Three-span reinforced concrete road bridge over can 194 Carrigaholt Bridge, Carrigaholt Single arch road bridge over river c.1850 196 Clondegad Bridge, Ballynacally Single-arch road bridge over river c.1800 197 Corofin Bridge, Corofin Three arch cut stone road bridge over river c.1790 198 Creegh Bridge, Creegh Three-arched road bridge over river c.1820 199 D'Esterre's Bridge, Sixmilebridge Single arched stone bridge, built 1794 with toll house 200 Doolin Bridge, Doolin Trabeated road stone bridge over river c.1775 201 Doonbeg Bridge, Doonbeg Six-arch road bridge over river c.1820 202 Doonsallagh Bridge, Miltown Malbay Single arch, coursed stone bridge over river c.1820 ( 203 Driminure Bridge, Connolly Single-span road bridge over river, dated 1846 204 Fanore Bridge Single segment arched road bridge over river Murrou 205 Fisherstreet Bridge, Doolin Single span bridge over river with segment arch c.18 206 Friars Bridge, Connolly Single-arch bridge dated 1846 207 Honan's Bridge,Glendine South, Miltown Single-arch, rubble stone bridge over river dated 187 208 Inagh Bridge, Inagh Three-arch road bridge over river c.1790 209 Inch Bridge, Inch Five-arch road bridge over river c.1830 210 Killaloe Bridge, Killaloe Thirteen-arched road bridge over river, c.1760 211 Latoon Bridge, Clarecastle Three-arch road bridge over river, c.1810 212 Moananagh Bridge, Moanreel South Four arch, Stone Bridge c. 1820 213 New Bridge, Killaspuglonane, Kilfenora Three arch stone bridge c.1840 214 Nutfield Bridge, Barefield Three arch road bridge over river c.1800 215 O'Brien's Bridge 12-arch bridge over the river c.1695 and 1770 216 O'Brien's Bridge, Dough, Ennistymon Three arch cut stone road bridge over river est 217 Poplar Bridge, Nooan / Commons South. Two-arch road bridge over river c.1810 218 Quin Bridge, Quin Three-arch road bridge over river c.1800 219 Roadford Bridge, Doolin Stone road bridge over river c.1810 220 Scariff Bridge, Scariff Single-arch road bridge over river c.1860 221 Spectacle Bridge, Lisdoonvarna Single-arch road bridge over river spanning de 222 Stackpooles Bridge (South), Knockloskraun Two-arch, rubble stone bridge over river c.182 496 The Bridge, Main Street, Sixmilebridge 3-arch, stone bridge over river c.1790 527 West Clare Railway Bridge, Rineen, Miltown Single arch, stone railway bridge and embankm 526 West Clare Railway Bridge,Drumcliffe, Ennis Iron railway bridge, abutments and embankme

PIERS AND HARBOURS 223 Cappagh Pier, Kilrush Ashlar, limestone pier, parapet, steps and slipw 224 Harbour, Liscannor Harbour with two enclosing piers c.1830 and c 225 Inishmurry Pier, Killadysert L-plan quay c.1820 226 Kilbaha Pier, Kilbaha Pier c.1850 227 Scarriff Dock, Scarriff Harbour c.1850 228 Tullies Harbour, Tinarana Beg, Killaloe Stone built, three sided, small harbour c.1850

MONUMENTS AND MAUSOLEA 229 Eugene O'Curry Memorial, Doonaha Detached single-storey forge c.1930 230 Kelly Family Mausoleum, Ruan Underground mausoleum set into hill, c.1880 231 Manchester Martyrs Mon. Francis St., Kilrush Cut stone sculpture of Main of Erin with Hound 232 O'Brien Monument, Derreen, Liscannor Memorial monument to Cornelius O'Brien c.18 233 O'Loghlen Mausoleum, Ruan Detached single-storey neo-Egyptian style mau 234 Peadar Mac Fhlannchadha Mon. Kiladysert Bronze bust Memorial on cut stone plinth c.196 235 Mausoleum, St Colman's Ch., Bishopsquarter Mausoleum with cut stone obelisk with ball fine 236 Scott Mausoleum, Killadysert Detached mausoleum, dated 1837 237 Studdert Mausoleum, Heritage Centre, Corofin Mausoleum to Studdert Family c.1820 MEDIAEVAL CHURCHES AND ABBEYS 238 Bishop's Island, Kilkee Early Christian Oratories 239 Clare Abbey, Clarecastle 12th c Abbey 240 Coad Church, Kilnaboy c.1500 and graveyard 241 Corcomroe Abbey 12thc. Abbey 242 Dysert O' Dea, Church & Round Tower 12thc. Church and Graveyard 243 Inisdadrum Oratory Early Christian Oratory 244 Kilkeedy Old Church Early Christian and Mediaeval 245 Killone Augustian Convent 13th c. Convent 246 Kilnaboy Old Church & Round Tower Early Christian and mediaeval 248 Kilraghtis Old Church Mediaeval Church 249 Quin Franciscan Abbey 13thc. Castle and 15th c. Friary 136 St Finghins Church, Quin Ruined Medieval Church c.1278 247 St. Blathmac's Church & graveyard, Rath Romanesque Church (in Ruins), Stone-carvings and

HIGH CROSSES 250 Dysert O'Dea High Cross 12th c. Illuminated High Cross 251 Kilfenora High Crosses Group of High Crosses in Cathedral Graveyard. 252 Killaloe High Cross High Cross in Church of Ireland graveyard 253 Kilnaboy, Tau Cross (Replica) T-shaped Cross 254 Tuamgraney Cross-slabs 2 slabs in Church of Ireland Graveyard

CASTLES AND TOWERHOUSES 255 An Cabhail Mhor, Killinaboy 16thc. Bawn with turrets and remains of buildings. 256 Ballinalackan Castle Towerhouse with bawn 257 Ballycarroll Castle, Dromore 14th c Hall House 258 Ballygriffey Castle 15thc. Tower House, 259 Ballyportry Castle, Corofin Four storey Tower House (Restored) c 1500 and Baw 260 Bunratty Castle, Bunratty Detached five-storey castle c.1475 261 Burren Art Clg. Newtown Castle, B'vaughan Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1820 and Towerho 262 Cabhail Ti Breac, Lisdoonvarna 16th, 17th century single storey schoolhouse, unusual 263 Carrigaholt Castle Towerhouse and Bawn 264 Castlefergus Castle, Newmarket on Fergus Towerhouse 266 Castletown, Spancill Hill Towerhouse 267 Clarecastle Castle and barracks 268 Clenagh Castle Towerhouse 269 Clooney Castle Towerhouse 270 Coolisteige Castle, Clonlara Towerhouse 271 Craggaunowen Castle Towerhouse 272 Cratloe Keel Castle Towerhouse 273 Cratloe More Castle Towerhouse 274 Cratloemoyle Castle Towerhouse 275 Doonagore Castle, Doolin Round Towerhouse and Bawn (restored) 276 Doonbeg Castle Tower House 277 Doonmore Castle Tower House 278 Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus Detached two-storey neo-Gothic castle-style m 279 Drumline Castle Towerhouse 280 Dysert O'Dea Castle Towerhouse (restored) Banquet Hall (ruin) 281 Faunarooska Castle, Lisdoonvarna Circular Towerhouse with bawn 282 Garuragh Castle, Tulla Towerhouse 283 Gleninagh Castle Towerhouse and well 504 Inchiquin Castle (Mainland) Corofin Towerhouse and 16thc. two-storey manor hous 284 Inchiquin Castle, (Island), Corofin Remains of King Turlough's Castle and cranno 285 Kilkishen Castle Towerhouse 286 Knappogue Castle, Quin Detached 3-storey towerhouse c.1467 with ext 287 Leamanagh Castle Towerhouse and 17th manor house, gardens, 288 Liscannor Castle Towerhouse with bawn 289 Milltown or Ballymullen Castle, Tulla Towerhouse 290 Mooghaun South Castle Towerhouse 265 Moyhree Castle, Castlequarter, Tubber Towerhouse with bawn and turrets 291 Muckinish Castle and Bawn, Ballyvaughan Towerhouse with bawn 292 O'Brien's Tower, Cliffs of Moher Detached circular two-storey tower, built 1835 293 O'Grady's Towerhouse, Tuamgraney Towerhouse c.1550 294 Rathlaheen Castle Towerhouse 295 Rosmanagher Castle Towerhouse 296 Rossroe Castle Towerhouse 517 Shallee Castle, Kilnamona 15th century towerhouse and bawn in ruins 297 Smithstown Castle Ballynagowan, Towerhouse and limekiln 505 Tir Mic Bran Castle, Adelphi, Corofin Towerhouse and bawn (in ruins) 298 Tromra Castle, Quilty Flagstone towerhouse 299 Urlanbeg Castle, Newmarket on Fergus Small Tower house in ruins 300 Urlanmore Castle, Newmarket on Fergus Ruined Tower house and remains of Bawn THATCHED STRUCTURES 305 House near Cross Thatched Cottage 302 House, close to Rosroe Castle Thatched Cottage 301 House, Cooraclare Thatched Cottage 306 House, Hurler's Cross, Sixmilebridge Thatched Cottage 304 House, New Quay Thatched Cottage 308 House, Whitegate Village Three bay, Single storey, thatched 19thc.cottage 307 Kelly's, Tullagh Park, Tulla Cross,Boston Thatched Cottage c. 1825 and Gates 303 Vigo Cottage, Corofin Thatched Cottage

MISCELLANEOUS 309 Ailwee Caves Visitors' Centre, Ailwee Natural stone-clad visitors centre c.1979 311 Ardnacrusha Power Station Hydro-electric power station complex built 1925-29 312 Ballyleaan Water Tower, Ballyleaan, Killadysert Detached two-storey water tower, c.1850 313 Corbally Quin, Water Tower Watertower c.1825 320 Cregg Deserted Village, Gleninagh Deserted Village, 4no. 18th/19thc. Single storey hous 316 Dromoland Belvedere, Newmarket on Fergus Single bay, double height belvedere c.1740 332 Famine Memorial Park, Tuamgraney Famine Memorial Park 318 Fanore, Deserted Village at Cathair Bheannach Group of ruined single-storey, stone houses and outb 321 Kilbreckan Silvermines, Quin Ruined building and freestanding chimney c.1775 322 Limekiln, Mollaneen, Dysert. 18th / 19th c. Lime burning Kiln 323 Milestone, Knappogue, Quin Inscribed ashlar limestone milestone, dated 1828 324 Moyasta Station, Kilrush Single storey, "L" shaped, West Clare Railway Station 325 Noughaval Market Stone Market stone c.1725 508 Old Mill and Waterwheel, O'Callaghan's Mills 6-bay, two-storey watermill, wheel and machinery. 490 Pay-stall, Fairgreen, Kilfenora Oval, crennellated, rendered stone platform c.1750 319 Public Fountain, Ballyvaughan Public fountain, erected 1875 327 Raheen estate buildings etc., Tuamgraney Estate buildings, walls, ironworks, gate piers 328 Shannon Airport, Rinneanna South Shannon airport complex - 1945-2000 329 St. Brigid's Well, Derreen, Liscannor Holy Well c.1830. Detached single-bay, single-storey 314 St. Tola's Well, Killeenan, Dysert. Early Christian Holy Well 315 Steele's Turret, Cullane Turret / Gazebo 317 Synge's Prosyletising School, Dysert, Corofin Two storey, five bay prosyletising school 1823, ruined 330 Tobercornan Well, Ballyvaughan Detached single-bay, single storey well-house 331 Toomeen Caves, Tulla Caves 333 Tullagh O'Dea, Ringfort and Inauguration Place Inauguration Place of O'Dea chieftains, Ringfort & we 310 Well-house, Ardnacraa, Liscannor Detached single-storey well house, c.1820 LIGHTHOUSES 335 Black Head Lighthouse, Fanore Detached two-storey lighthouse built 1936 336 Kilcredaun Lighthouse Two-storey, lighthouse dated 1824 with outbuil 337 Lighthouse Keeper's House, Loop head Detached three-bay, two-storey lighthouse kee 338 Lighthouse Keeper's Houses, Loop Head Pair of semi-detached 3-bay, 2-storey light-kee 339 Loop Head Lighthouse Detached cylindrical 4-storey lighthouse, built 484 Scattery Island Lighthouse Detached, three-storey lighthouse c.1820 485 Scattery Island Lightkeeper's House Two-storey, three-bay house

COASTAL BATTERIES & SIGNAL TOWERS 341 BallardDoonbeg Signal Tower Ballard Tower c.1810 342 Finavarra Point, Martello Tower, Detached ovoid two-storey Martello tower and 343 Hags Head Signal Tower Signal Tower c.1810, Ballylaan 344 Kilcredaun Point Battery, Carrigaholt Bay Coastal Artillery Battery, 1814 345 Kilkerin Fort & Battery, Labasheeda Coastal Artillery Battery, Magazine and Barrac 486 Master Gunner's House, Scattery Island Stone house in battery complex 346 Scattery Island Fort & Battery. Coastal Artillery Battery and Barracks c.1815

GATES AND LODGES 347 Annalay Lodge, Broadford Former Gate Lodge 348 Back Gates to Knappogue Castle Back gate and gate piers 349 Cornfield House Gate Lodge, Ballynacally Detached single-storey L-plan gate lodge, c.18 350 Danganella House Gatepiers, Cooraclare Gatepiers 351 Derrymore Gatelodge, Clogher Former Gate Lodge, c.1820, piers and walls 352 Entrance Gates, Kilkishen House Four cut stone gate, piers and cast iron gates 353 Gate Lodge, Seamount Hse., Liscannor Detached 3-bay, single-storey gate lodge, c.18 354 Gatepiers, Retreat, Spanish Point Gatepiers 355 Raheen Lodge, Tuamgraney Detached hexagonal single-storey former gate

TOWNS AND VILLAGES ENNISTYMON 356 A. Healy, New Row, Ennistymon Two-bay, two-storey over basement house with 357 Armstead, Bay Bere, Ennistymon Five-bay, two-storey c.1820 and outbuilding wi 516 Ballingaddy House, Ennistymon Single storey, 3 bay, early 18th c. house, histo 358 Bank of Ireland, Parliament Street, Ennistymon Terraced, three-bay, three-storey bank c.1870 359 Blake & Linnane, Old Town, Ennistymon Pair of two-bay, two-storey houses c.1830 360 Byrne, Parliament Street, Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey house c.1790 362 C. O'Loghlin, Church Street, Ennistymon Two-bay, three-storey house c.1870 363 Carrigg's Old Town, Ennistymon Terraced two-bay, three-storey house c.1830 364 Catholic Church, Lehinch Road, Ennistymon Three-bay, double-height, gable-fronted Catholic Chu 365 Clair O'Brien, Church Street, Ennistymon Two-bay, three-storey house c.1900 366 Considine & Sons, Market Place, Ennistymon Single-bay, two-storey house c.1790 367 Cooley's House, NewTown, Ennistymon Terraced, single-bay, three-storey rubble stone-built h 368 Crosbie, Church St./Market Place, Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, two-storey house c.1870 369 Daly's New Town, Ennistymon Terraced, single-bay, three-storey house with dormer 373 Ennistymon Bridge Seven-arch, rubble stone bridge over river c.1790 374 Ennistymon Medical Centre, New Town, Terraced, three-bay, three-storey building with dorme 375 Eugene's, New Town, Ennistymon Terraced, single-bay, three-storey building c.1870 9 Falls Hotel, Ennistymon Seven-bay, two-storey, over basement, gabled house 376 Former Courthouse, Parliament St, Ennistymon Detached, five-bay, single-storey rubble stone-built co 377 G. Conway, Market Place, Ennistymon Single-bay, three-storey house c.1860 378 Gateway, Nursing Home, Ennistymon Gateway to Ennistymon Union Workhouse complex b 379 H. Maloney's, Church Street, Ennistymon End-of-Terrace, two-bay, three-storey house with dor 371 J & M Byrne's , New Town, Ennistymon Terraced single-bay, three-storey building c.1860 382 J. Devitt Hardware, New Town, Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey building with dormer 381 J. M. Tobin, New Town, Ennistymon Single-bay, two-storey house c.1830 383 James Griffin's Pub, Ennistymon Four-bay, two-storey house c.1850 384 John Vaughan, Parliament Street, Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey building c.1860 390 Limestone Paving, New Town, Ennistymon Section of limestone flagged paving c.1870 372 M. Devitt's, New Town, Ennistymon End-of-terrace, three-bay, two-storey building with do 385 M. Honan, Victualler, Church St. Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey building c.1840 386 Market House Antiques, Ennistymon Five-bay, single-cell, butter market c.1860 387 Michael A. Nagle, Parliament St., Ennistymon Terraced, five-bay, two-storey building c.1870 380 N. Connole's, Parliament Street, Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey house c.1790 388 O'Domhnallain's & House beside, Market Pl. Pair of semi-detached, two-storey houses, half-dorme 361 Odran O'Looney, Parliament St., Ennistymon Terraced, two-bay, three-storey building c.1840 389 O'hEaghrain, New Town, Ennistymon. Terraced two-bay, three-storey house c.1870 507 Queally's House, Kylemore, Ennistymon Single-storey, 4-bay, 19th c. stone, rendered cottage 391 S. Wall Drapery, New Town, Ennistymon Terraced two-bay, three-storey house with dormer att 370 Slattery's Turf Accountant, Church St. Terraced, two-bay, three-storey house with dormer at 392 Stack, New Town/Parliament St, Ennistymon End-of-terrace, single-bay three-storey house with do 393 Teach Ceoil, St. Andrews Church, Ennistymon Three bay, single cell, former Church of Ireland c.183 394 The Sugan Chair Restaurant, Ennistymon Terraced, three-bay, three-storey building with dorme KILKEE 395 2 McDonnell Terrace, Kilkee Terraced,two-bay, two-storey house c.1880 396 3 Clifden Terrace, West End, Kilkee Detached three-bay, two-storey house, built 18 397 8 Marine Parade, Kilkee Terraced, five-bay single-storey house c.1870 398 AIB O'Curry Street, Kilkee Detached three-bay, two-storey red brick bank 399 Bank of Ireland, O'Curry Street, Kilkee Detached seven-bay, two-storey bank c.1880 400 Bayview House, Merton Square, Kilkee Detached five-bay, two-storey house c.1880 401 Bernadette House, Queen Street, Kilkee End-of-Terrace, four-bay, two-storey house c.1 402 Clifton, West End, Kilkee Semi-detached four-bay, two-storey house c.18 403 Former Railway Station, Circular Road, Kilkee Detached seven-bay, single-storey railway stat 405 Kilballyowen House, Kilkee Three-bay, two-storey house c.1800 outbuildin 481 Methodist Church, Geraldine Place, Kilkee Single height, gabled, barn-church 406 Nolan's Victualler, O'Curry Street, Kilkee Terraced four-bay, two-storey house c.1870 407 Pair of Houses, West End, Kilkee Pair of semi-detached three-bay, two-storey ho 408 Purtill's Guest House, O'Curry Street, Kilkee End-of-terrace four-bay, two-storey house c.18 404 Rose Lodge, Merton Square, Kilkee Semi-detached, three-bay, two-storey over bas 410 St.James' C. of Ireland, Church Road, Kilkee Three-bay, double-height gable-fronted Church 409 Sykes House, Clifton Terrace, Kilkee Detached, three-bay, two-storey house c.1845 511 The Boathouse, East End, Kilkee Late 19th century, single storey stone/brick boa 411 West End House, Wellington Square, Kilkee c.1850 Historical and Literary Association

COROFIN 432 Adelphi, Corofin Detached 5-bay, single sorey over basement h 117 Clare Heritage Centre,Former C of I, Corrofin Three-bay, single-storey church c.1715 433 Clifden House, Corofin Detached 7-bay, 2-storey over basement hous 434 Corofin Union Workhouse, Kilvoydan, Corofin Detached, fifteen-bay, single-storey building c. 435 Curtin's Pub, Corofin Terraced 2-bay, 2-storey house, c.1850 436 P. Crowley's Pub, Corofin End-of-terrace 6-bay, 2-storey house c.1790 437 Richmond House Corofin Detached 5-bay,2-storey house with dormer at 479 Roughan House, Kilnaboy, Corofin Two-storey, 3-bay, hipped roof. C. 1850 438 Sean Kenny & Sons, Corofin End-of-terrace 6-bay, 2-storey market house, b 135 St Bridget's Church, Corofin Gable-fronted, T-plan church c.1822

KILLALOE 439 Abbey House, Abbey Street, Killaloe Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1800 440 Ballyvalley House Gate Lodge, Killaloe Detached 3-bay,single-storey gatelodge c.1820 101 Church of Ireland (former), Rahena Beg, Killaloe Five-bay, single storey church, dormer attic c.1 441 Clarisford Palace, Moys Td., Killaloe Detached 5-bay, 3-storey over basement Bishop's Pa 442 Courthouse, Court House Road, Killaloe Detached 5-bay, single-storey courthouse c.1830 443 E. Richardson, Main Street, Killaloe Terraced 7-bay, 2-storey house c.1850 444 J.Crotty, Italian Warehouse, Main St, Killaloe Terraced 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1850 153 St. Flannan's Cathedral, Abbey Street, Killaloe Cruciform Medieval Cathedral c.1200 155 St. Flannan's Church, The Green, Killaloe T-plan Catholic Church, built 1837 445 The Deanery, Abbey Street, Killaloe Detached 3-bay, 2-storey deanery c.1825

KILLADYSERT 446 Cahiracon House, Killadysert Five-bay, three-storey house, c.1790, gate lodge, gat 447 Erribul House, Killadysert Three-bay, single-storey house of "L" plan c.1880 an 448 J. O'Dea, Main Street, Killadysert Terraced 2-bay, 2-storey house c.1890 164 St. Michael's Church, Main Street, Killadysert Three-bay single-storey T-plan Catholic church dated 449 The Curtain Shop, Main Street, Killadysert Terraced 2-bay, 2-storey house c.1890 450 The Grove, Killadysert Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house, c.1870

LEHINCH 519 Clairville, Church Street, Lehinch 3-bay, 2-storey, gabled, moher slated. First floor fene 451 Claremont Hotel, Main Street, Lehinch Terraced, ten-bay, three-storey hotel, c.1850 452 House, Main Street/Promenade, Lehinch End-of-terrace, five-bay, single-storey house c.1860. 453 P. Frawley, Ennistymon Road, Lehinch End-of-terrace, six-bay, two-storey house c.1870

LISDOONVARNA 454 Ballinalacken House Hotel, Lisdoonvarna Detached 3-bay, single-storey former house c.1841 121 Corpus Christi Church, Lisdoonvarna Seven-bay, Gothic-style Catholic church c.1865 480 Goldfinch Lodge, Lisdoonvarna Two-storey, 5-bay, gabled house c.1850 455 McInerney's Lisdoonvarna End-of-terrace 5-bay, 2-storey house c.1850 456 The Royal Spa Accommodation, Lisdoonvarna Terraced 9-bay, 2-storey hotel, c.1860 457 The Spa, Lisdoonvarna 3-bay single-storey pump house, c.1892

MILTOWN MALBAY 180 Christ Church, C of I, Leagard South, Miltown. c.1927 and Church of Ireland graveyard with mausol 112 Church of St.Joseph, Miltown Malbay Five-bay, single-storey cruciform Catholic church buil 458 D. MacCruitin, Main Street, Miltown Malbay Terraced 2-bay, 2-storey house, c.1890 512 Former Workhouse, Poulawillin, Miltown. Two-storey, three-bay, early 19th century house 459 M. Lynch, Main Street, Milltown Malbay End-of-terrace, 2-bay, 2-storey house c.1890 460 Station House, Cloonbony, Miltown Malbay Detached 4-bay, single-storey railway station c.1885 MOUNTSHANNON 461 Keane's Bar, Main Street, Mountshannon Terraced 4-bay, 2-storey house c.1890 462 Market House, Main Street, M'shannon Detached 3-bay, 2-storey market house c.1740 130 Methodist Church, Main Street, Mountshannon End-of-terrace 3-bay single-storey Methodist c 463 Old School Hse. Cappaduff, M'shannon Detached 5-bay single storey U-plan school c.1846 147 St. Caimin's Church of Irl., Mountshannon Four-bay, single-storey Church of Ireland churc 464 The Old Rectory, Mountshannon Detached 4-bay, 2-storey rectory, c.1905

SCARIFF 116 Church of the Sacred Heart, Fossa Beg, Scariff Cruciform six-bay, single-storey Catholic Churc 465 Scariff Community Council, Main Street, Scariff Single-storey former market weigh-house on p 466 Scarriff Union Workhouse, Drewsborough Associated buildings, c.1845, gate piers, boun 501 The Coffin House, Former Workhouse, Scarriff Single storey, gabled 467 The Harbour Bar, Main Street, Scariff End-of-terrace, 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1870 500 The Store, Former Workhouse, Scarriff 1.5 storey, 3-bay, gabled store c.1840 334 Water Tower, Scariff Detached two-bay, six-storey former water tow

SIXMILEBRIDGE 110 Church of Sts. Mary / Finaghta, Sixmilebridge Four-bay single-storey T-plan Catholic church 468 Credit Union, Main Street, Sixmilebridge End-of-terrace, 3-bay, 2-storey house, c.1820 492 Deerpark House, Sixmilebridge Two-storey, 3-bay, L-shaped house c.1770 123 Former Church of Ireland Church, Sixmilebridge Four-bay, single-storey former Church of Irelan 493 Garna House, Main Street, Sixmilebridge Two-storey, 8-bay, gabled premises c.1860 469 Mulready's House, Fairgreen, Sixmilebridge Detached 5-bay, 2-storey house with dormer a 495 The Hall, Fairgreen, Sixmilebridge Single-storey, 4-bay gables, c.1810 470 The Old House Bar, Sixmilebridge Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house c.1775 471 The Riverside Inn, Frederick Sq., Sixmilebridge Detached 3-bay, single-storey house with half- 494 Waterside Medical Centre, Sixmilebridge Two-storey, 4-bay, house c.1820

TULLA 472 Branch Library, Main Street, Tulla Detached 3-bay, single-storey market house, 120 Convent of Mercy, New Line, Tulla Seven-bay, two-storey convent built 1883 473 House & Shopfront, Main Street, Tulla Detached 3-bay, 2-storey house with stringcou 474 Market House, (Library) Main Street, Tulla Detached 4-bay, 2-storey market house c.1840 475 Stable Complex, Kilkishen Road, Tulla Eight-bay, single-storey, cut-stone built stable c 476 The Courthouse, Main Street, Tulla Detached 5-bay, 2-storey courthouse, dated 18 477 Tulla House, New Line, Tulla Detached 3-bay, single-storey house with dorm

Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Appendix Five

Architectural Conservation Areas in County Clare

Ballyvaughan(2)

Corofin

Ennistimon

Kilfenora

Kilkee

Kilkishen

Killadysert

Killaloe

Kilmihil

Lisdoonvarna

Miltown Malbay

Mountshannon

Newmarket on Fergus

O’Briensbridge

Quin

Scarrif

Scattery Island

Sixmilebridge

Tuamgraney

29 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

30 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011 Appendix Six

Documents used in the Preparation of the Draft County Development Plan

National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020

The Planning Land Use and Transportation Study for Greater Limerick

Shaping the Future the County Development Board Strategy 2002-2012

Waste Management Strategy for Limerick, Clare and Kerry Region 2001

Clare County Council Housing Strategy 2000-2005 reviewed for 2003-2008

The Regional Retail Strategy and the Clare County Retail Strategy 2003

Landscape Character Assessment 2003

Copies of the Clare County Housing Strategy and the Clare County Retail Strategy are available for inspection with the Draft County development Plan at the County Council Offices New Road Ennis and Public Libraries throughout the County

29 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

30 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005 - 2011

31 Draf t Clare County Development Plan 2005- 2011

32