Connolly
Connolly Location and Context Connolly is situated in a robust rolling rural landscape with quite significant tree cover, where the land falls away to the south of the main road. It is located close to Ennis on the R474 (Miltown Malbay road). Like Kilmihil and Lissycasey, it sits on the fringe of the upland plateau environment. The nature of the landscape character here provides Connolly with the potential to absorb future appropriate development without proving detrimental to this character. The village has a range of community services and facilities including a school, church, petrol station and shop. Located on a main regional road, it is important that traffic flows are appropriately managed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users in the village. The village has seen little development in recent years although it has a significant number of individual houses and a housing estate. Connolly has potential for growth due to its proximity to Ennis and the robust nature of the landscape in which it is situated. Currently the lack of wastewater treatment infrastructure limits the capacity for future development. Any future development including alterations to existing commercial or employment generating development will require private wastewater treatment subject to suitable site-specific conditions and must ensure they are in compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for On Site Wastewater Treatment Systems. The village is connected to the Kilmaley/Inagh Group Water Scheme. The Natura Impact Report accompanying this plan (Volume 10a) relevant mitigation measures and recommendations at site and project level. General Objectives •
To consolidate the existing built form, whilst allowing for growth that will support the village centre, ensuring its vitality whilst preserving and enhancing the character of the village.
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To ensure that future growth in Connolly is incremental and small-scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the population and services in the village.
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To support the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth of the village.
Employment and Enterprise Connolly is situated in a landscape with significant biomass resource (forestry) in its hinterland which can play a key role in the delivery of renewable heat targets for County Clare. This area is well positioned to become a centre for biomass production (wood chip/pellet) based on the public and private forestry resource in the west of the County. In addition to forestry, __________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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