Submissions deadline looms for West Clare plan

The deadline for making submissions to the 2012-2018 Draft West Clare Local Area Plan is next Monday.

Put on public display by Clare County Council in late July, the plan, once adopted, will guide the detailed development of every settlement in West Clare up to 2018. Importantly, it is also proposed to revoke and end the existing 2009 West Clare Local Area Plan and replace it with the new Draft West Clare Local Area Plan 2012-2018.
The Draft West Clare Local Area Plan may be viewed at the Kilrush Area Office and in libraries in Kilrush, Kilkee, Cranny, Kildysart, Kilmihil and Ennis.
The plan may also be viewed at the De Valera Library and Local Study Centre in Ennis, as well as Áras an Contae Chláir and on the council website at www.clarecoco.ie.
Written submissions and observations (two copies) with respect to the draft West Clare Local Area Plan can be made on or before 4pm on Monday. The address is Forward Planning Section, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis or e-mail forwardplan@clarecoco.ie.
“The public consultation process presents members of the public with a valuable opportunity to have their say on the future development of their local communities,” Kilrush Electoral Area chairman Councillor Oliver Garry said.
“I would encourage people from West Clare to inspect the Draft West Local Area Plan before the submission deadline on Monday. They will not get a better opportunity to influence the future economic and social development of their local village, town and community,” he added.
Brian McCarthy, senior executive planner noted that through the more detailed land-use planning for towns, villages and settlements in West Clare, the zonings in the draft plan will guide employment, tourism, community, recreational and residential development up to 2018.
He said that while issues such as the Clare Wind Energy Strategy have already been planned for and adopted in the Clare County Development Plan, the draft West Clare Local Area Plan will guide the more detailed development of the individual settlements of West Clare.
“Clare County Council urges people and communities in West Clare from Loop Head to Quilty and Inch, to view the plan at our display locations and on our website and have their say on the detailed development of their settlements by making submissions to Forward Planning Section of the council by Monday,” he stressed.