Civic-minded students have their say on county Clare’s future

STUDENTS from Scariff Community College visited Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis to discuss how a submission they made has informed the preparation of the Draft Clare County Development Plan.

As part of the public consultation process on the plan, third-year geography students, along with their teacher Ms Darina Sheridan, were welcomed by Council Chief Executive Pat Dowling, the Elected Members of Killaloe Municipal District, and Council Planning staff.

The 22 students made a submission during the pre-draft public consultation process in November 2020, when they were in second year.

This was part of a school project devised by the Council’s Forward Planning section. At that time, the students participated in a virtual discussion with the elected members of Killaloe Municipal District on their submission.

During their visit to the Council last week, the students discussed how their submission informed the preparation of the draft plan and learned how they can have their say again at this stage of the plan-making process before the deadline of March 28.

Councillor Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach of Killaloe district, chaired the event where planning staff made presentations on the Development Plan before an open floor discussion on the students’ biggest concerns and desires for the future of Scariff and the wider East Clare area.

Mr Dowling said the students’ proactive participation “demonstrated a high level of engagement, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking which is highly commended, particularly in the face of such unusual and challenging times during the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The Council is highlighting the importance of the engagement of young people and children in the process to ensure their voices are heard and help to plan for a county they would want to continue to live, learn and work in.

Submissions on the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 will be accepted from members of the public and prescribed stakeholders up until 4pm on Monday, March 28.

To view the Plan and for further information on making a submission or observation, please visit clarecdp2023-2029.clarecoco.ie/stage2-draft/display/