A SIGNIFICANT planning initiative, designed to create a roadmap for the strategic regeneration, development and sustainability, has recently been launched across a group of communities in North Clare.
The catchment for the project will comprise the communities served by Mary Immaculate Secondary School and the Stella Maris Day Centre in Lisdoonvarna.
This covers communities such as New Quay, Ballyvaughan, Fanore, Carron, Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Kilfenora and Kilshanny.
The project is a joint initiative of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte and Clare Local Development Company (CLDG).
“The project is premised on the need for communities in North Clare to be ready for and be able to respond to change,” said Councillor Joe Garrihy of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte.
“We have seen dramatic changes in the region in recent years, for example to patterns of land usage and employment.
“We have observed increased centralisation of public services and employment opportunities and this has led to substantial migration of our young from the region.
“Correspondingly, we have seen the decline and dilapidation of our villages and towns. We need to come together and be prepared.”
This sentiment was echoed by Darina Greene of CLDG. “We see this as a novel and innovative project,” she said.
“It will test the potential over a six-month period of a cross-community, strategic planning exercise in rural North Clare.
“Not only does the project present opportunities for substantial growth and development in the region, it affords an opportunity to learn from the development of a regional strategy, underpinned by the participation of the local community.”