Ballyea

Ballyea

Location and Context

Ballyea is situated between the N68 and R473 approximately 8 km from Ennis. It is accessed from the local roads that connect these two main routes. The village is centred on a picturesque bridge over the Ballymacooda Lough Stream surrounded by attractive tall trees that provide a pleasing focal point.

Services and facilities in the village include a church, school, community centre and GAA pitches. Existing housing in the area is concentrated around the church, school, and community centre, where the land gradually rises up from the stream southwards. The wider landscape consists of rolling countryside and is quite robust with a significant amount of tree cover. The size of the village and its secluded setting gives it a peaceful and tranquil character that should be preserved. Killone Abbey, Lake and Holy Well is situated a short distance from Ballyea which attracts visitors interested in cultural heritage.

Demand for new housing within the wider area has been quite high in recent years, given the close proximity to Ennis. Ballyea has no public wastewater treatment infrastructure therefore, any future development including alterations to existing commercial or employment generating development to be served by private wastewater treatment systems, subject to suitable site-specific conditions and compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for On Site Waste Water Treatment Systems. Water is supplied via connection to a private group water scheme.

Ballyea is located to the east of Knockanira House SAC. 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.

General Objectives

• To encourage growth in the village that will consolidate the existing built form, contribute to the vitality of the village and its community whilst preserving and enhancing the unique character of the settlement.

• To ensure that future growth in Ballyea is incremental and small scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the population and services in the village.

• To support the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth of the village.

• To support the provision of a suitably sited playground to serve the area.

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029

Employment and Enterprise

Agriculture remains an important part of the local economy in the smaller settlements near Ennis. In order to support economic development, the Council will support farm enterprise and Agri-tourism in Ballyea, as well as home-based economic activity where feasible. Proximity to Ennis and Shannon provides employment and educational opportunities within a short commuting distance.

Strategy for Growth and Sustainable Communities

The strategy for the sustainable growth of the village and its community is through consolidation and regeneration that promotes compact sequential growth and supports and strengthens a sustainable village community and its rural hinterland. This will be achieved by encouraging small scale growth in areas which make a positive contribution to the overall enhancement of the village and sustains it into the future. In line with this approach and to promote vibrant rural villages, village growth areas have been identified which provide opportunities and choice for development, including small scale commercial, enterprise, community, services/facilities as well as small scale cluster housing, all of which offer a viable and attractive option for rural living within a village community and setting.

In particular, any development proposals on areas identified for growth shall consider the following:

VGA 1 and VGA 2

These sites are bordered by mature trees and hedgerows, and these shall be retained across the site and integrated into development proposals, in order to protect the character of the area.

VGA3 South of the Church and VGA 5 North of the Village

These sites slope towards the Claureen River which is currently at "Moderate" status in accordance with the 2013-2018 WFD status and is "at risk" of not achieving at least "good" status in this cycle 2018-2021. Therefore, any development proposals must incorporate measures to ensure that the development, or its footprint, will not lead to surface water runoff or have an impact on water quality. Any development proposals on these sites must also be subject to site specific flood risk assessment as part of any planning application.

These sites are bordered by mature trees and hedgerow. These features shall be retained across the site and integrated into development proposals for the land, in order to protect the character of the area.

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029

Place Making and Regeneration

This small, low-density settlement has a church, school, and GAA club which serve a wider hinterland. Appropriate gateways need to be formed on all four approaches to the village, including name signs to define the entry points to the village. As with many rural settlements the margin area between the edge of the road and house boundary can diminish the sense of place and can deter walking around the village. Within the settlement this margin space can accommodate a footpath to facilitate pedestrian movement. To avoid a suburban character in this rural area, any footpath needs to coincide with the road edge.

The incorporation of green features into public realm and other developments, as well as the greening of public spaces will enhance the overall amenity of the village, enhance biodiversity and help to mitigate against climate change.

It is an objective of the plan:

• To support the enhancement and development of public spaces and the overall amenity of the village.

Recreation

REC1

These lands are located to the north of the village and are occupied by Ballyea GAA club and their associated facilities. The lands are zoned for recreational purposes and shall be retained as such in order to meet the sports and recreation needs of the local community.

OS1 and OS2

These lands are located along the riverbank and contribute greatly to the character of the village. They are extensively covered by mature trees and make an attractive entrance to the village. Furthermore, the lands provide a flood storage area to allow for seasonal changes in the water level in the river. These lands shall be retained as open space in the interest of the amenity and character of the village

Flooding and Flood Risk

The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (Volume 10(c)) accompanying this Plan advises that Open Space and Agriculture are appropriate uses and should be retained. Any flood risk to existing and proposed development lands can be managed through appropriate site and building layouts, with development limited to Flood Zone C.

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029