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.

• 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.

• 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

agriculture remains an important part of the local economy. In order to support economic development, the Council will facilitate and encourage farm enterprise and Agri-tourism in Connolly. The Council will also support home-based economic activity where feasible. Proximity to Ennis and Shannon provides employment and educational opportunities within short commuting distance.

It is an objective:

• To support existing and new businesses in the village. The redevelopment of existing buildings in the village for new enterprises will particularly be encouraged.

Strategy for Growth and Sustainable Communities

Connolly is an attractive place to live for those seeking all the benefits of village life but within a short distance of Ennis. 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.

VGA 1 and VGA 2 South side of the Village

These sites have been identified as having the capacity to accommodate small-scale development. Given the scale of the existing village, small, clustered development will be encouraged on these sites, subject to the ability to provide appropriate wastewater treatment facilities on the site. The design, layout and scale of any proposed development shall be reflective of the rural character of the village. All development will need to ensure compliance with the EPA Code of Practice for Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Development on other zoned lands:

AG 2 Southeast of the Village

It is recommended that any development taking place on the lands zoned for agricultural use at AG2 must also have due cognisance of the stream which runs north south at this location and ensure that potential negative impacts are appropriately mitigated.

__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029