This article is from page 24 of the 2012-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THE implementation of the new Shannon Town & Environs Local Area Plan is the key to ensuring that the county’s second largest town can be allowed to develop properly over the next six years.
The new blueprint, which was unveiled officially on Monday after a consultation process with members of the public over the past 12 months, has identified a number of reasons why the Shannon area needed what is the first local plan for its development in its 50-year history.
Within the document, Clare County Council officials have pointed out that failure to implement the recommendation of putting the plan in place would have serious consequences for the Shannon Airport catchment area.
“There would not be a localised framework within which to regulate, aid and control development whether economic, social or environmental,” the draft plan claims.
“A lack of controlled development could lead to pressure on adequate service provisions and infrastructural facilities, thus affecting the natural environment in which the population lives leading to human health and quality of life issues.
“In the absence of the plan, the process for assessing the issues which affect all of the inhabitants within the plan area will go unchecked, resulting in deterioration in the environment and lack of critical capital expenditure in terms of targeted infrastructural development and employment opportunities. The predicted population increase will not be provided for by an adequate level of service provisions and the environmental consequences would be undesirable,” it adds.
The 2011 census returns showed that Shannon is the second largest town in Clare with a population of 9,673, but according to the draft plan for the town’s development a target population of nearly 12,000 has been set for the next census in 2017.
“The assigned target population must be taken into account when formulating objectives and policies,” the local area plan says.
“In the absence of the plan, core strategy and population targets; in frastructure, including services and housing provision would not be catered for accurately.
“Issues affecting the current population in addition to the population increase may not be realised and could result in deterioration of the environment and mismanaged resources,” the plan adds.