Inch
Inch Location and Context Inch is located only 8km from Ennis on the R474 (Ennis to Miltown Malbay) road and is identified as a Small Village in the Settlement Hierarchy of this Plan. The school and church at the centre of the village provide the nucleus around which the settlement has developed. The landscape in the area is relatively robust with rolling hills and mature trees and hedgerows. The lands fall away to the southwest of the village and this area is more exposed with views across the countryside. Water is supplied by the Inagh-Kilmaley Group Water Scheme and is adequate to serve the population target set out in the Core Strategy. There is no public wastewater treatment in the village. Any future development, including alterations to existing commercial or employment generating development, will require private wastewater treatment subject to suitable sitespecific conditions and must ensure they comply with the EPA Code of Practice for On Site Wastewater Treatment Systems in order to ensure that there are no significant long-term effects on the Inch (Clare) River which is currently at ‘moderate status’. General Objectives • To consolidate the existing village, support the tourism industry in the area and encourage the development of a range of amenities and services for both permanent residents and visitors to the area, subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive; • To ensure that future growth is balanced and sustainable and is relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the existing village; • To provide for residential development to cater for a permanent population in the area; and • To support the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth. Economic Development Agriculture remains an important part of the local economy in the smaller settlements near Ennis. In order to support economic development, the Council will facilitate and encourage farm enterprise and agri-tourism in the village. The Council will also support 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 __________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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