Objective

2. To identify land for employment uses and to support an extension of existing employment generating activities such as marine-based activities (eg fishing and aquaculture) and agriculture, to provide for an increase in diversification of employment opportunities,

Background

3. In recent years Kilrush has not realised the level of economic growth achieved elsewhere within the county or nationally. During the second half of the twentieth century the West Clare railway was closed and there was also decline in the traditional industries resulting in closures and high unemployment in shipping, fishing, milling, ceramics manufacturing and seaweed processing. The loss of income to the local economy resulted in the closure of shops, hotels, dance halls, and a cinema. The construction of Moneypoint power station provided temporary respite, but following the construction the local economy went into decline and out-migration continued.

The Local Economy

4. Towards the end of the twentieth century new industry and business has returned to Kilrush with the support of tax incentives and promotion through agencies such as Shannon Development. Despite the slight decrease in population since 2002, according to the 2006 census, there are indications that employment opportunities are increasing. The installation of the new An Post BillPay building on the Cappagh Road accommodates 50 employees and the decentralised offices of the Revenue Commissioners will bring an additional 50 employees to the town to the same building.
5. The general trends in employment in Kilrush area largely mirrors the national trend between 1991 and 2002 where employment is increasing with an increase in employment in the professional and service sectors.
6. The implementation of the Town Renewal Scheme has seen significant redevelopment of key town centre buildings, including the Glynn's Mills, which has generated employment in the construction industry and will provide the first hotel in Kilrush.
7. Key employees in the town include St. Goban (Chemfab Ltd), Broderick's Furniture Factory, Nordman Profile, Shannonside Building and Timber Suppliers and the Kerry Co-0p. The Kilrush Marina is a significant economic asset which has yet to be fully realised from an economic perspective.
8. The on-going retrofit of Moneypoint continues to be a major employer and many of the workforce would be drawn from Kilrush. The retrofit of Moneypoint is scheduled to continue until approximately the end of 2008 and this has generated many additional jobs which has drawn a large additional workforce from outside the town.
9. The future economic growth of Kilrush will benefit significantly from the installation of MANS (broadband) in 2007 which will provide incentive and opportunity to attract IT related industries and those which rely on IT to undertake their business practises, to the area. The E-Town concept is one which could capitalise on this IT base.

10. Employment generating development proposals will normally be expected to locate within suitably zoned areas for business, industry, retail, maritime and tourism. In order to encourage the better sustainable use of land and influence travel patterns, the employment objectives and employment land supply seek to provide the majority of new land in close proximity to the town and on the main road transport network. The policy seeks to protect other areas, such as the open countryside from inappropriate employment generating development proposals.

11. Appropriate locations for employment generating development are set out in this policy and comprise land zoned within the Plan for such purposes, existing employment areas, the town and local centres of Kilrush and through the adaptation of buildings in the countryside. Should the Town Council decide to relocate their offices from the Town Hall, these will be facilitated under this policy. Each development proposal will be considered against these criteria as well as their acceptability with regard to other policies established in the Development Plan.

12. Agricultural industry has a significant role to play in the economy and environmental quality of the plan area. Management of the open countryside outside the built up areas is achieved through management of the land for agricultural purposes. The Council will consider the loss of actively managed agricultural land to be a significant detrimental effect. The quality of the open countryside is an important part of the attraction of the area to tourism.
13. There may be occasions where the locational requirements for some form of development will result in the loss of active agricultural land. These circumstances are not likely to be usual but may be necessary either for the continuation of the viability of the agricultural activity or in the public interest.
14. Maritime activities including mariculture and other sea-orientated activities play an important role due to the location of Kilrush on the Shannon Estuary. Where potential exists to develop these activities this should be accommodated in line with Policy E3.

15. A Seveso establishment is an industrial company which has notified the National Authority For Occupational Safety and Health as meeting a specified threshold for quantities of hazardous substances as outlined by European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2000.There are currently no Seveso establishments in the Plan area. In the event of one locating in the area the policy will apply.
16. In line with the requirements laid down by Directive 96/82/EC, as implemented by the said Regulations, SI No. 476 of 2000. The National Authority For Occupational Safety and Health, as the Central Competent Authority, is obliged to provide technical advice to the Planning Authority in case of relevant decisions taken relating to:
    1. development within the vicinity of existing Seveso site areas;
    2. the proposed development of a new Seveso establishment; and
    3. the modification of an existing establishment.

17. There will be a general presumption against the granting of planning permission for new agricultural buildings on farmlands where consent has already been granted for alternative use of other buildings deemed surplus to requirements where these could serve the purpose of the proposed development.
18. The Council will require that agricultural buildings be sited as unobtrusively as possible, normally within the existing farmyard complex, and be constructed of materials and in colours which will blend with their surroundings and reduce their overall impact on the landscape.
19. Agricultural developments should minimise interference with existing hedgerows and trees. In certain circumstances, the Council may require the submission of a scheme of landscape works in order to provide visual screening for a development.
20. The Council will require that agricultural developments be designed to Department of Agricultural and Food standards. When assessing the adequacy of effluent handling facilities, the following will be considered to be soiled waste: slurry, soiled yard run-off, milk washings, silage effluent, and dungstead seepage. The holding period required for purposes of calculating waste handling facilities will be between 16 and 26 weeks, depending on the nature of the land on which soiled waste will be spread.

21. Council seeks to retain rural communities and in an effort to achieve this will give favourable consideration to appropriate proposals for on-farm agricultural diversification schemes. The Council will seek to ensure that the scale and nature of proposals is appropriate to the location and that they can be satisfactorily integrated into the rural landscape.

22. The permanent loss of good quality agricultural or forestry lands outside the Kilrush settlement boundary would not be supported. The Council is also concerned to ensure that proposed agricultural and forestry related developments are considered in relation to their likely impact on the character and amenity of the surrounding area, as outlined in Policy ENV8.

23. Where there is existing development in the countryside where the use has been abandoned, there is potential for development for non-agricultural purposes, for example creameries, abandoned petrol stations, old farm buildings, piers and associated buildings. The Council will seek to ensure that the scale and nature of any proposed development relating to such structures is appropriate to the location and that the proposal can be satisfactorily integrated into the rural landscape.

24. Council consider it vital to maximise the opportunities afforded for home-based working by developing technology. Home working can contribute significantly to the local economy, by allowing access to new markets which provide new economic opportunities and encourage the spread of entrepreneurial activity and ideas. Home working can also be beneficial in reducing the need to travel. Of particular relevance to Kilrush, it offers opportunities for encouraging re-population in the area and existing population to reside in the area, by being able to avail of employment opportunities through home-working.

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Air Quality

29. The main source of air pollution is vehicle generated. High traffic flows and congestion can give rise to significant levels of pollution. Other sources of air pollution are irregular, but can occur around commercial and industrial premises.
30. Air pollution is an environmental effect that will be considered in applying policies in the Plan, particularly with regard to proposals for commercial and industrial development.
31. The locational policies on Transport seek to address traffic generated air pollution by reducing car dependency and encouraging alternative modes of transport.

32. Proposals should not be visually intrusive in the local landscape and should not have a detrimental effect on the character and amenity of the surrounding area.
33. The relevant national forestry guidelines referred to above are:
    • The Irish National Standard
    • The Code Of Best Forest Practice - Ireland
    • Forestry and Water Quality Guidelines
    • Forestry and Bio-Diversity Guidelines
    • Forestry and Archaeological Guidelines
    • Forestry and Landscape Guidelines
    • Forest Harvesting and the Environment Guidelines
      
      
34. Good design and attention to shape, scale, diversity, margins, open space and views will help to ensure that these plantations will compliment the character of the landscape in which they sit. For this reason the intrusion and monotony associated with large-scale, geometric, event-aged, single species should be avoided.

Archaeology

35. Kilrush has a number of historical and archaeological remains. Archaeological remains are a finite non-renewable resource particularly vulnerable to partial or total destruction, containing irreplaceable information about the past. The Council recognises the value and significance of its archaeological heritage and therefore seeks to ensure the effective protection, conservation and enhancement of archaeological sites, monuments and their settings.

36. Kilrush is a late nineteenth century planned town with acknowledged archaeological importance. Archaeological remains are a finite non-renewable resource particularly vulnerable to partial or total destruction, containing irreplaceable information about the past. The Council recognises the value and significance of its archaeological heritage and therefore seeks to ensure the effective protection, conservation and enhancement of archaeological sites, monuments and their settings.
37. The Council will require any new development proposals to have regard to the archaeological survey and the Record of National Monuments and Places published by Duchas, the Heritage Service. Where significant archaeological remains are found through excavation, the Council will require a plan for their recording and conservation (either in-situ or ex-situ) as a component of a planning application.
38. The Council will work with 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 purposes of education and awareness of local heritage.
39. The River Shannon is an area of high archaeological potential and the underwater archaeology must be considered where development impacting upon the shoreline, harbour and river is being considered.
40. Items of archaeological interest are recorded as Monuments and are identified on the Proposals map:

Architectural Heritage

Note: Section 2 of the Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) and National Monuments (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1999 defines the term "architectural heritage" as - Structures and buildings together with their settings and attendant grounds, fixtures and fittings, groups of such structures and buildings, and sites which are of architectural, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest.

41. The Council 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 via development charges, where appropriate.

42. 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 Council 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.
43. 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.
44. The Council will prevent the demolition of, or any material alteration to (without planning permission), buildings and structures included in the RPS. Insensitive developments that compromise the setting of listed buildings or structures will not be permitted.

45. Kilrush has a wealth of architectural heritage, which includes archaeology with industrial aspects, as is evident by the number of structures associated with its rural heritage throughout the Plan area. Structures of industrial heritage include light-houses, signal towers, Martello Towers, piers, warehouses, mills, life boat houses, weighbridges and structures on the West Clare railway.
46. The permanent way and structures associated with the West Clare railway are to be protected from development where possible, as the historical significance of the section of the line through Kilrush is recognised within the Plan, for example the permanent way, embankments and structures. The Council are undertaking to preserve, map and provide access to the West Clare railway line exploring opportunities for the development of the former line as a walking route. (See Policy REC7).

Architectural Conservation Areas

 

 

 

 

47. In accordance with the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities must include objectives in Development Plans for preserving the character of Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). The ACA provision is complimentary to the Record of Protected Structures, allowing a clear mechanism for the protection of areas, groups of structures of townscapes, which are either of intrinsic special interest as defined or which contribute to the appreciation of protected structures.
48. The Planning and Development Act 2000 removes exempted development rights where works to the exterior of a structure located in an Architectural Conservation Area will materially affect the character of the area. Planning permission will be required where such works are proposed.
49. The Planning Authority has identified an area in Kilrush as Architectural Conservation Area. The Council will seek to manage the protection and enhancement of Architectural Conservation Areas as part of the overall monitoring of the implementation of the Plan. Proposals for development within Architectural Conservation Areas will be required to conserve the character and appearance of the areas.
50. Architectural Conservation Areas are places, areas, groups of structures or townscapes which are of special architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or technical interest contribute to the appreciation of protected structures. Their inclusion in the Plan affords greater control over the form of new development and reduces instances of inappropriate development, demolition and change within the designated areas.
51. New build within these areas should reflect the scale, proportions, design and materials ofexisting structures. Furthermore the policy recognises that insensitively executed refurbishment can be equally as detrimental tot he character of such areas as leaving buildings to deteriorate.
52. The Council will require that important exterior features and items of street furniture are retained and will look for the use of natural local materials where development occurs.

Derelict Sites

53. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (Sec 81) outlines that a development plan may contain policies for the development and renewal of areas in need of regeneration. The Council considers it important to secure the beneficial reuse of derelict, under-utilised and vacant sites which have previously been built on. Such recycling of sites and buildings represents a highly sustainable use of land as well as assisting in improving and enhancing the appearance of the site and the surrounding area.
54. Refurbishment and reuse of derelict and under-utilised sites and buildings, particularly within the Architectural Conservation Area, will be encouraged provided that such refurbishment, restoration and conservation work is of appropriate quality in design, technique and materials. Development proposals for such sites must be in accordance with other Development Plan policies and should seek to maximise the benefits of reusing previously developed sites.
55. Kilrush has a number of derelict sites and structures as identified in Appendix 5, many of which offer potential for appropriate redevelopment with opportunities to revitalise the town centre. It is critical in assessing proposals for such redevelopment that the character and scale of the existing buildings is retained in order to ensure the overall character of the town is retained.

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Residential Amenity

21. Selective intensification of residential use within established residential areas, through development of gap and backland sites and redevelopment of existing properties, is considered to be a positive approach towards promoting a sustainable use of land within built up areas and also in ensuring the continued viability and vitality of locally based services and community facilities.
22. In developing within the established built up area of Kilrush, it is important to seek to protect the amenity of these areas so that owners and occupiers can continue to enjoy their properties without undue disturbance from neighbouring developments. The council considers that amenity should generally be defined as including; privacy, disturbance (by traffic, noise, smells, fumes, vibrations or light pollution) and access to daylight. The guidelines on character, amenity and design as set out in Part C will be used to assess the impacts of new development on the character and amenity of the area in which it is to be located and the design quality of the proposal.
23. Any development proposals should neither conflict with nor detract from the character, amenity and design of an area. This policy will not preclude appropriate new development and is not intended solely to maintain the status quo.

24. There are a number of under utilised, vacant and/or derelict buildings within the town centre of Kilrush. Many of these have potential for residential use and will contribute significantly to increase the variety of housing types within the town.
25. The spaces around buildings and their height as compared with adjacent buildings are an important part of their character and the character of the surrounding area. In encouraging residential development, particular attention will be paid to proposals to ensure that the density, massing, scale, proportions, materials and overall design are in keeping with the character of the town centre.
26. The Council is keen to see the continued vitality and viability of the town centre and see the increase of residential accommodation within the town as key to it.

27. Selective infill development within the settlement area of Kilrush promotes sustainable use of land and can assist in ensuring the viability and vitality of locally based services and community facilities. The Council consider that there may be appropriate locations within Kilrush settlement area which could accommodate infill housing development.
28. There are small groups of dwellings in the countryside, subject to the criteria of Policy H6 (replacement of a dwelling in the countryside) and other policies of the plan, a proposed infill development will be permitted where the distance between the existing developed sites is at least 30 metres and not greater than 50 metres.

26. 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.
27. 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 the town centre unless they have a detrimental effect on the environment, residential amenity, traffic generation and public or road safety.
28. The Council 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 fumes, noise, smells or light intrusion) and the need to ensure that highway 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.
29. The Council will seek to encourage the provision of limited on-site eating floor space as part of hot-food takeaway development in order to assist in reducing disturbance and litter in public streets and places. Applications for such developments will require a scheme which will monitor opening hours, noise, disturbance etc in the locality.

30. The development of amusement arcades, virtual reality centres and other such establishments are only appropriate at locations within the town centre. Where necessary, proposals will need to include appropriate mitigation measures to the satisfaction of the Council prior to the grant of planning consent.

31. Small shops and post offices associated with petrol filling stations may be a cost effective way of providing the equivalent of a local shop. Whilst the important role of such provision is recognised, such shops should remain secondary to the use as a petrol filling station. To protect the vitality and viability of existing retail areas the Council may limit the range of the good to be sold. Shops associated with petrol filling stations up to the size of 100m² will normally be allowed but consideration will have to be taken of the additional car trips to visit the shop that could result in forecourt congestion and adverse traffic movements.
32. Where permission is granted the Planning Authority will require that they comply with the standards set out in Appendix 4 of this Plan.

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Objective

2. To allow for the satisfactory provision of education, community services (eg health and social care and emergency services) and childcare facilities to meet the needs of the plan area during the life of the plan 2008 - 2014.

National and Regional Policy

Health Services

5. Health services exist in the form of private medical doctors practises and Shannondoc. There is a recognised need by the Mid-West Health Board to extend services in Kilrush. Hospital services are provided by hospitals in Ennis and Limerick. There are four residential care homes in the town, with an additional facility under construction.

Schools

6. Kilrush has a national school, secondary school and Gaelscoil. A range of pre-school and childcare facilities exist within the town, all of which have adequate capacity to meet the anticipated needs for the plan period, with the exception of the Gaelscoil. The current premises are inadequate and the location is of concern due very difficult traffic problems, resulting in the need to provide for the relocation of the Gaelscoil at a more suitable location that will allow for the development of a facility that will have the capacity to meet its long-term future needs.

Emergency Services

7. Emergency services are located within Kilrush with the recent development of the new Garda station, in addition to fire services, ambulance service and coastguard and I.N.L.I services based at Cappagh.

Community Facilities

8. Kilrush has a range of community facilities including a community centre and youth centre, but it is recognised that there is a growing perception that a need exists for a new purpose built community facility to be provided in the town to service not only the town population, but the entire West Clare area. The premises and accommodation for community services in Kilrush have developed over the years in an ad hoc manner. Many organisations are now experiencing difficulties in finding facilities suitable for their existing and emerging needs. In addition it is recognised that there is a shortage of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. In response to this, the West Clare Community Facility Study was prepared in January 2007 at the initiation of a partnership group of local stakeholders, the West Clare Community Facility Group, including the Local Authority, which identifies accommodation deficits.

Childcare Facilities

9. The Planning Guidelines "Childcare Facilities - Guidelines for Planning Authorities" provides a framework for childcare provision. In conjunction with this the Clare County Childcare Committee are responsible for developing the County Childcare Strategy 2007 - 2010, the recommendations of which will inform future childcare provision. There are currently 7 childcare facilities within the Kilrush urban and rural areas. It is important that in facilitating future development that necessary provision is made in regard to childcare facilities to ensure a comprehensive range of facilities which have the capacity to meet future needs in both sessional and full time childcare.

10. Accessiblity is a major issue in the area in terms of transport access to services and the proposals in relation to one-stop shops, day services etc. require careful consideration.
11. Accessibility to community and health facilities is an issue in the West Clare area and Kilrush plays a key role in accommodating the range of services and facilities. The Joint Study on providing an integrated West Clare Community facility reinforces a need for such provision and a facility that can accommodate all the services in one location is encouraged by the Council.

12. Kilrush provides a range of health services which serve not just the plan area, but an extensive hinterland. The nearest hospital facility is in Ennis. There are is an on-going review of the services provided and the existing site does have capacity for expansion should there be a requirement due to relocation of additional services from Ennis.

13. For the purposes of this policy, community facilities are non-residential uses with the principal purpose of providing a service and facility to a local community. Such uses include: childcare facilities, day nursery, day centre, educational establishment, art gallery, museum, public library or public reading room, public hall or exhibition hall and in connection with public worship or religious instruction.
14. The Council welcome the provision of new community facilities. The priority should be to integrate new facilities with existing ones in order to make the most efficient use of resources. The Council recognises that it will not always be possible to identify a suitable site for such facilities within existing settlements and where suitable sites cannot be identified for reasons of site area, vehicular access, residential amenity or other planning considerations, a location within the open countryside may be acceptable provided it meets the conditions within Policy SER3.

15. For the purposes of this policy, community facilities are non-residential uses with the principal purpose of providing a service and facility to a local community. Such uses include: childcare facilities, day nursery, day centre, educational establishment, art gallery, museum, public library or public reading room, public hall or exhibition hall and in connection with public worship or religious instruction.
16. The loss of a community facility can have a major impact on a community, especially in more rural localities where no other dedicated community facilities exist. Schools and community halls are particularly important as focal points for town and village life since they can offer opportunities for a variety of social and recreational activities.
17. In order to prevent the loss of community facilities, the Council will discourage their change to non-community uses. Either an alternative community use must be sought, or provision made in an alternative suitable location. In the exceptional event that a developer can demonstrate that there is insufficient local demand for such facilities, by way of a survey of local residents, an alternative use may be allowed.

18. The Council is concerned to ensure that there is an adequate provision of residential institutions 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 Council considers that where possible, residential institutions 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.

19. The schools perform a vital service to their surrounding communities and as such the Council seek primarily to encourage the upgrading and where appropriate expansion of existing facilities, or provision of new facilities. Educational facilities are suitable for location on land zoned for community facility uses by the Development Plan. In recognition of the relocational needs of the Gaelscoil, zoning provision has been made to allow for the development of a new school facility within the town.

20. Ministerial Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Childcare Facilities were published in June 2001 by DoELG. The guidelines require that a Development Plan make provision in its objectives and policies for the provision and monitoring of childcare facilities within its area.
21. Childcare facilities can be provided by both private and community and are defined as full day-care and part time sessional facilities and services for pre-school children, school-going children and out of school hours care or integrated services. It includes services involving care, education and socialisation opportunities for children. Thus services such as pre-schools, naionrai (Irish language playgroups), day-care services, crèches, playgroups and after school groups are included.
22. Proposals for Childcare provision will be considered in line with the Department of Environment and Local Government's "Childcare Facilities - Guidelines for Planning Authorities" and be considered in conjunction with the Clare County Childcare Committee and other relevant agencies in their on-going monitoring which assists in guiding where supply and demand exists for the range of childcare facilities provision.

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Chapter 13: Service Infrastructure

1. This chapter will set out the Council's policies and proposals relating to the provision of services and service infrastructure to meet the needs of the Kilrush area over the plan period.

Chapter 14: Transport and Movement

Objective

2. To reduce dependency on the private motorised transport through effective traffic management and to encourage and integrate alternative means of travel to private motorised transport.

Background

3. Transport within the County as a whole is dominated by motorised transport. This is further accentuated in the western part of the County within which the Kilrush Plan area lies, due to a low level of public transport and no railway service. To fulfil the aims of sustainable development, private motorised travel must not be the dominant mode and all alternative means of transport must be fully exploited. However, in North Clare it is only the availability of and ease of access made possible by the car that has prevented a greater decline in population.
4. Therefore in recognising this fact, there is a need to:
   • Manage and improve choice of transport mode for all people living in the plan area to encourage more sustainable travel behaviour, but recognising the dependence on the private car in the plan area for movement, it is therefore important to upgrade, manage and maintain the existing road network to improve safety, efficiency and ease of movement for all within the plan area.
   • The important factors are choice and access. For many, in relation to transport, there is no choice and there are those who have difficulty even accessing the limited public transport that does exist.

Existing Road Network

5. The Plan area is served by two national secondary routes, the N68 Kilrush to Ennis road and the N67road which runs from Killimer through Kilrush running north through the County as the main tourist coastal route extending all the way to Galway.

There are 2 regional routes.

• The R483 (Kilrush - Cooraclare - Creegh)
• The R473 (Kilrush - Kilmurray McMahon - Ennis)

Existing Public Transport Provision

6. The public transport service that exists at present provides only a limited number of services. Bus Eireann operates daily services between Kilrush and Ennis with links to Galway or Limerick at Ennis.

7. East Clare Accessible Transport provide a weekly service every Friday between Cooraclare and Kilrush and Kilrush to Kilkee and Kilbaha.

8. There is no rail service to Kilrush. It is an objective of the Council to preserve the transport corridor along the route of the old West Clare railway ad to promote and encourage development that ensures its continuation as a transport corridor, most likely by cycle and foot which will also be of interest to tourists. It is an objective of the Council to safeguard this route when considering development proposals.

Committed Road Schemes

9. National Secondary Routes:

Constraints study undertaken in relation to a relief road between N67 Killimer Road and N68 Ennis Road.

 

10. This policy will not apply within the development boundary of Kilrush, nor 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 the following:

• Landowners who have owned the land since 1st January 1999 and their sons and Daughters and, farmers and their sons and daughters wishing to build a dwelling for their own occupancy on family land.
• Agricultural, forestry or other developments with a functional rural connection.
• 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.
• Temporary quarrying activity related to the construction of new roads which are objectives of the Plan provided that the following conditions are fulfilled -
  1. No reasonable alternative site is available in the vicinity with access off a minor road.
  2. No new access is created where possible.
  3. No specific traffic hazard exists at the proposed site due to substandard road alignment or construction or to site conditions or configuration.

 

11. It is an objective of the Rural Transport Initiative set up under the National Development Plan to promote and support the development of community based transport. The Council endorse this fully and encourage and support such initiatives in Kilrush. East Clare Accessible Transport operate a weekly service (Friday) between Kilrush and Cooraclare and between Kilrush, Kilkee and Kilbaha.

 

 

12. The access needs of persons with physical disabilities are addressed in the Building Regulations (part M of the amended regulations 2000 - Access for the Disabled). The use of ramps, lifts, disabled toilets and adequate circulation spaces in the function of any development for the safety and convenience of persons with physical disability will be considered in the determination of applications for planning permission.

13. Cycling, where safe and convenient, is an important transport mode and can provide an alternative to the motor car for many local trips. Where development occurs, it must address the needs of cyclists by identifying cycle friendly routes and providing adequate safe and secure parking areas for cycles.

14. Within the town of Kilrush, the emphasis for movement should be on foot. Routes between areas of residence and the main services, buildings and car parking areas should be safe and convenient. Within the town centre, access to properties directly off Henry Street should be avoided, utilising rear access points where possible.

15. Any new proposals for development should not impinge upon safe routes to school for children and where these are currently inadequate, the Council shall resolve to improve safety and access to such schools. Provision and maintenance of safe routes can reduce the number of short distance car journeys and encourage more sustainable forms of movement such as cycling and walking.

 

 

16. The County Development Plan sets out the strategic objective to examine the necessity and possibility of providing dedicated public transport corridors in future major road developments.

17. Council will co-operate and liase with the relevant transport bodies and authorities to secure improvements to the public transport system within Kilrush. It is also their objective to facilitate the provision of other more modest improvements such as bus bays, shelters and other facilities.

18. Other than the provision of these facilities, the policies and objectives of the development plan envisage:

• An increase in residential numbers within Kilrush that will encourage the development of viable and effective public transport networks.
• An increase of economic and employment land uses within the plan area which should assist in the growth and usage of a public transport network.
• The protection, free from development, of such lands as are required for the development of public transport facilities.

 

19. The Limerick Planning, Land Use and Transportation Study and the National Spatial Strategy seek to promote the use of rail as a sustainable mode of transportation. The Planning Authority considers it important to safeguard the corridor of the old railway line from development that would interfere with its potential to become an important tourist asset in the future. This could have potential significant benefits to the overall tourist economy of the area and its attraction to people and investors as a recreational and transport facility (see REC7).

 

 

20. The objective of traffic management, traffic calming and pedestrian priority measures is to ensure that people may travel safely by means which minimise the harm afforded 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.

21. The Planning Authority envisages that Kilrush, being the administrative and service centre for West Clare will be the focus for growth over the duration of the plan period. Kilrush has traffic management issues and further growth will accentuate these, reinforcing the need to have a comprehensive traffic management strategy in place that will sustain these settlements into the future. A constraints Study has been undertaken by the Council in relation to a relief road between the N67 and N68. The Council has also explored the possibility of a link road between the Ennis and Cooraclare road, shown as an indicative infrastructure safeguard on the Land-Use Zoning Map, with a possible extension to provide a link as far as the Kilkee Road.

22. In relation to new development proposals, the Council will work with engineers and designers to ensure that road design makes its proper contribution to traffic calming and pedestrian movement from the outset.

 

 

23. The Development Plan recognises the need to take the quality of the public road serving any development and the capacity of that road to accommodate anticipated traffic loads into account when considering applications for planning permission.

24. 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 and developments must pay strong attention to ensuring their safety.

25. It will be the Council's objective to promote walking as a viable alternative to the car for local, short distance trips through well managed footpaths, clear signage and, where appropriate, well maintained crossings.

 

 

26. The provision of vehicle and cycle parking both operational and non-operational is necessary to reduce traffic congestion and to provide safe and convenient access to buildings, business premises and places of work.

27. To make development sustainable, car parking standards may vary to allow for higher density development in town centre or close to town centre locations where off street parking may be available in public car parks or where the requirements of car ownership are likely to be less.

28. Where a scheme for the provision of off-street car parking exists and the developer is unable to provide on-site car parking in a town centre location the Council will require contributions to the cost of providing such car parking. The Council will also endeavour to manage parking by implementing some controlled parking measures and will encourage off-street parking wherever possible.

 

 

29. The Development Plan sets out the need to examine the feasibility of the development of cycle lanes in all new major road schemes and the provision of such facilities within urban areas and their environs and to provide such facilities where feasible.

30. The provision of adequate cycle parking, where possible, in proposals for office, residential, retail and employment generating developments will be strongly encouraged. Secure cycle parking is recognised as a direct incentive for people to make better use of bicycles for a range of trips.

31. Cycling and walking are environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient and healthy modes of transport. They are 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 T9 is to increase the percentage share of overall travel afforded to cycling and walking and decrease that undertaken by private car, which at present is very high.

32. Clear signage of all cycle ways and walking routes within the plan area will be provided and maintained, and within the town all cycle bays will be clearly marked. Footpaths shall be maintained to a high standard and where they are lacking, will be provided to link residential areas with services, schools and areas of work.

 

 

33. The Council will generally support the development of harbour facilities and associated access roads on the Shannon Estuary, mostly for leisure use in conjunction with policy TOU4. The Council acknowledge the strategic benefits of developing access points for tourism traffic as well as for local use. The National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 includes a number of government initiatives relating to the improvement and upgrading of harbour infrastructure. Specifically, investment in the marine leisure sector is being made available to encourage such improvements in new and existing facilities.

 

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Objective

2. To make provision for the needs of all sectors of the resident population and visitors to the area in terms of accessing a range of indoor and outdoor leisure and recreation community facilities.

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