Ennistymon ready for population increase

THERE is plenty of land zoned for an increased population around Ennistymon in the coming years, according to the Draft Mid-West Regional Planning Guidelines 2010-22.

The draft notes that the population in North-West Clare is growing.
“It (the area surveyed) is 836 square kilometres in extent and has a population of 13,700 persons in 2006, up from 13,300 four years earlier. Of the land area of 836sq km, some 292sq km or 34% is subject to Special Area of Conservation designation, principally at the Burren, and a further 8sq km around the Cliffs of Moher are subject to SPA designation.”
It also noted that the last census found there was a high level of vacant houses in North-West Clare.
“There were 7,553 houses in the area or which about 5,000 were occupied on census night 2006. Of the remaining 2,500, 1,375 were described by the census as holiday homes. That leaves 1,125 houses vacant in the area. The average household size for the area is therefore 2.74 persons. The vacant stock (not holiday homes) could therefore accommodate about 3,000 persons, which is almost the entire population target assigned to the zone under the previous guidelines.
“The service centre for the zone is Ennistymon, located on the western coast. The town and its surrounds had a population of about 2,100 in 2006, up slightly from 2002. There were 860 jobs in the town, again a slight increase on 2002.”
There is scope for development around the town, the report claims.
“Some €12.8 million is being spent on upgrading water and sewerage in a number of coastal towns, including Ennistymon. There are 21Ha zoned for residential use, which could accept a population of about 2,100. This could comfortably accommodate the target population increase.”
It also found that North-East Clare was likely to be well equipped for any population increase coming.
“There were 2,176 houses in the area in 2006, of which 542 or 25% were vacant. The average household size was therefore 2.75 persons. Of the vacant houses, 173 were designated as holiday homes. The remaining 369 houses could accommodate about 1,000 persons, which is slightly less than the guidelines’ target growth of 1,200.
“A total of 14.6Ha is zoned for residential development and this could accept a population of more than 1,400 persons. This could accept more than double the anticipated population increase.”