Flagmount
Flagmount Location and Context Flagmount has an elevated location, with extensive views to the west across Lough Graney. A laneway in the village leads directly to the shores of Lough Graney. It is an agriculturebased village surrounded by undulating farmlands and forested hills in a highly scenic area with recognised ecological value. It is largely surrounded by the Slieve Aughty Mountains and has developed in a scattered linear form. Flagmount is currently served by a local garage/shop, a church and a school with a large pre-school and after-school care facility. The village also sits along the East Clare Way. There is a public water supply serving the village, however there is no public sewerage system. The majority of houses within the village are served by individual wastewater treatment systems. Given the environmental sensitivities of Lough Graney as a designated European site and also the public water source for the Flagmount area, any potential future residential developments or tourism or employment generating developments must have regard to, and strict compliance with, the provisions of the EPA Guidelines relating to waste water treatment and disposal. The entire settlement of Flagmount is located within the Shannon-Graney/Scarriff Margaritifera (Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM)) Sensitive Area. While the current status of the FPM in this catchment is unknown, there are previous records of the FPM in this catchment and therefore any proposed development will need to take into consideration the potential effects on this species and its habitat. Any future development should be subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive given the proximity of the village adjacent to and partly within the Slieve Aughty designated European Site. See also the Natura Impact Report for further relevant mitigation measures and recommendations at site and project level. General Objectives •
To ensure that existing population levels and services are maintained;
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To ensure that future growth in Flagmount is incremental and small scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the existing village;
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To facilitate the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth.
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To encourage and facilitate the appropriate development of the blue and green infrastructure in the village and its immediate surroundings;
__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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