Inagh

Inagh

Location and Context

Inagh is situated on the main N85 national secondary route, between Ennis and Ennistymon. The village is identified as a Large Village in the Settlement Hierarchy of this plan. The village has grown on the western banks of the Inagh River and has an identifiable village centre. It has a number of services and facilities including a school, community centre, church and cemetery, shop, crèche, GAA club and a recycling centre. There is also a playground currently under construction in the village.

The strategy for Inagh is to provide for small scale, well designed residential, commercial and community developments which have regard to the character of the village. The strategy is to concentrate development to the west of the busy N85, providing for safe and improved pedestrian circulation within the settlement.

The Inagh River Estuary is a Special Area of Conservation. While the village of Inagh is not located in the SAC, it is situated upstream from the estuary. Any plan or project located within, adjacent to or which has the potential to impact on the integrity of an SAC or SPA, must be the subject of screening for appropriate assessment. Accordingly, objectives set out in Volume 1 of this Plan, relating to European sites and to appropriate assessment will apply to any future development proposals in this area. The Natura Impact Report accompanying this plan (Volume 10a) provides relevant mitigation measures and recommendations at site and project level.

Water supply is sourced through the Inagh-Kilmaley Group Water Scheme. Inagh has a public wastewater treatment system with sufficient treatment capacity to serve the target population.

General Objectives

• To facilitate and support the sustainable growth of the village to the west of the N85 which will support existing services and encourage further expansion of the service base.

• To provide for safe pedestrian and vehicular access and movement within the settlement.

Employment and Enterprise

Inagh and the surrounding hinterland have developed a reputation for artisan food production and such enterprises are encouraged. A key priority will be to support community and social facilities in the village and to encourage indigenous enterprises and service provision.

In this regard, a new digital hub community facility is planned for the village which will be delivered through the Council’s DigiClare initiative in line with the Clare Digital Strategy 2023, and is a collaboration between Clare County Council in partnership with Inagh Development

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029

Ltd. The digital hub will be located within the former National School and will provide for remote working and hot desk facilities within the centre of the village. The aim in developing this facility is to stimulate the local economy by offering more flexible remote work options, reduced commuting levels and improved quality of life for the local community and potential future residents.

In order to further support enterprise development, the following lands are identified for commercial and mixed-use development:

Commercial and Mixed Use Lands West of the N85

This area has been zoned with a view to establishing a mix of uses such as business, retail, or office uses as appropriate at this location. Retail and business uses will be encouraged at ground floor level with office or residential uses overhead. Developments solely for residential use will not normally be permitted. The Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 Strategic Flood Risk Mapping SFRA shows that there is an identified flood risk associated with these lands. Accordingly, any planning applications made on these lands must be accompanied by a Site-specific Flood Risk Assessment.

Housing and Sustainable Communities

The proximity of the settlement to Ennis and Ennistymon makes Inagh an attractive place to live for those who wish to have all the conveniences of a town nearby but experience country life and all it has to offer. It is important to ensure that growth is balanced and contributes to a thriving village community that can support a range of services.

R1 and R2 West of the village

These lands are situated in proximity to the village centre adjacent to established residential areas to the north and south. The church and associated car park are located immediately to the east. The site has the capacity to accommodate low density development and will reinforce the centre which has evolved around the school, shop, church, and community centre. An access road shall be provided within the site to provide for potential future access to the undeveloped lands to the north and west. The EPA Code of Practise for Waste Water Treatment Systems must be strictly adhered to on these lands in order to ensure no significant long term effects on the Inagh River, impacts on the current status of the Inagh River and its objective of achieving good status under the Water Framework Directive.

Strategic Residential Reserve (SRR)

Acknowledging that not all lands within the settlement boundary of Inagh will be required for development to 2029, lands which comprise infill or contiguous sites or have a planning history for residential use and can form part of the long-term sequential expansion of the settlement are zoned SRR. Consideration may be given to the development of some SRR lands before the end of the plan period, in line with provisions set out for Strategic Residential Reserve in Section 19.4 of Volume 1.

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Community Lands

Some small sections of the Community lands in Inagh are located within Flood Zone A. Any potential development on these lands within areas identified as Flood Zone A must apply the sequential approach, avoid highly vulnerable land uses and must submit a site-specific flood risk assessment with any planning application.

Transport, Active Travel and Connectivity

In terms of public transport, Bus Eireann provides regular bus services to and from Ennis and Galway City and Clare Bus also provides a daily service to Ennis. These services have the potential to provide an alternative to the private car for residents and visitors and encourage a modal shift to a more sustainable transport option.

In addition, the enhancement of and provision for green infrastructure such as walking and cycling routes would promote active recreation and sustainable travel in the village and its environs. Improved facilities for pedestrians such as footpath linkages between key elements of the village would encourage pedestrian movement and improve amenities in the area.

Place Making and Amenity

The most frequently seen part of Inagh is the N85 junction with the R460. Effective gateways are needed on the northern and southern approaches to the village to announce the village and to calm traffic travelling through. Signage is needed to introduce the village centre which is hidden from this junction, and vertical definition is needed along the Miltown Malbay Road. Existing trees on the south side of the R464 should be protected and supplemented by a further single or double row along the roadside boundary of lands zoned for Residential development. Access to these lands should be provided from the entry road to Annaghdun estate to ensure the main roadside boundaries remain intact.

Flooding and Flood Risk

Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning, Lahinch Road (N85)

The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Volume 10(c) of this Plan advises that a site-specific FRA will be required as part of any planning application relating to commercial and mixed use zoning lands fronting the N85. Risk could be largely managed by locating buildings within Flood Zone C and ensuring finished floor levels are appropriate. Should site levels change, it will need to be demonstrated that this will not increase risk elsewhere.

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029