Kilbaha
Kilbaha Location and Context Kilbaha is a small village and is the most southerly and westerly located village on the Loop Head Peninsula. A short distance to the north of Kilbaha lie the Bridges of Ross, a well-known lookout point for bird watchers observing the seasonal migrations. Kilbaha has a small harbour that is overlooked by the ruin of Doondalhen House which dominates the bay area and is a prominent feature in the village landscape. Further west along the peninsula lies Loop Head Lighthouse which is open to the public. Kilbaha has a distinctive picturesque coastal setting with outstanding views that need to be protected. A high ridge to the west of Kilbaha along the R487 allows for excellent views of the landscape to the north and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Outstanding views of Kilbaha Bay, the Shannon Estuary and rocky coastline contribute to the main character of the settlement. Kilbaha offers a high-quality environment in which to live. It is important to provide for small scale well-designed development as well as year-round facilities and services that promote a thriving village centre while retaining Kilbaha’s distinctive village character and setting. The settlement has developed in a linear form with the main services located centrally around the bay. It is a priority to ensure the continued viability of the existing services, which includes two pubs (Keating’s pub and the Lighthouse Inn), a community hall and a playground. Kilbaha Gallery and Crafts is located less than a kilometre west of the village centre and Kilbaha church, which houses the Church of the Little Arc, is less than a kilometre to the northwest. The village is also served by Clare Local Link and Clare Bus with daily services to Kilrush and Kilkee and onward services to Ennis. Kilbaha is connected to the West Clare Regional Water supply. There is no wastewater treatment infrastructure in this settlement. In addition, due to the proximity of the ocean and the generally impermeable soil conditions, wastewater treatment can be problematic in the area. Any future residential development including alterations to existing residential developments, commercial or employment generating development will require private wastewater treatment subject to suitable site-specific conditions and must ensure they comply with the EPA Code of Practice for On Site Wastewater Treatment Systems. Kilbaha adjoins the Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conservation (SAC), with the River Shannon and River Fergus Estuaries Special Protection Area (SPA) located further upstream in the Shannon Estuary. Future development must ensure that there are no adverse effects on the SAC and SPA site integrity, or the integrity of any other European site as a result of the proposed development. 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
__________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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