Mullagh

Mullagh

Location and Context

Mullagh takes its name from 'mullach', meaning the top, summit, head or ridge on which the village stands and is located only a short distance southeast of Quilty.

The village lies within an area characterised as coastal farmland and dunes and due to its elevated nature, situated on a ridge, the views northwards of the surrounding flat landscape are extensive to Quilty in the north and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The surrounding landscape consists of relatively flat or rolling countryside with few trees.

The facilities in Mullagh include a public house, community centre, church, primary school, and sports field. There is an existing public footpath in the village which provides pedestrian connectivity between existing residences and the village core and community facilities such as the church, sports field and national school.

Water is provided by the West Clare Regional Water Supply and the village is currently connected to the Quilty Wastewater Treatment System.

General Objectives:

• To support and encourage further growth and regeneration of the village centre, whilst protecting the distinctive character of the village through sympathetic design and siting of development.

• To consolidate and renovate the existing buildings, in particular along the main street, and to encourage the further development of retail and commercial services in the village core.

• To make provision for the tourism related developments in the village.

Employment and Enterprise

Mullagh’s proximity to Miltown Malbay, Quilty and Spanish Point can be harnessed to promote the economic development of the village. Mullagh and Quilty have the advantage of being fully serviced settlements which will give them the competitive edge in attracting investment and enabling them to accommodate a mix of uses to complement the high-quality school and sports facilities already in place in the village.

Tourism

The popularity of the nearby tourist areas such as Quilty, Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay and Doonbeg is likely to continue to generate demand for holiday accommodation in Mullagh.

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The village is located c.1.5km east of the Wild Atlantic Way and has the potential to capitalise on this demand to a greater extent and provision has been made within the village to facilitate this.

TOU1 Large Backland Site South of the Main Street

TOU1 is a large greenfield site located to the rear of the main street and rises gradually from the road to the southern boundary. It is considered that this zoning will make provision for tourism related development that will bring people and economic activity to the area in a sustainable manner. The zoned area shall require a masterplan outlining a development strategy that has regard to relevant policies and available infrastructure.

Housing and Sustainable Communities

While there is demand for holiday accommodation in the vicinity, it is important to ensure that future development is balanced and provides for permanent accommodation thus contributing to a thriving village community which can support a range of services, whilst retaining its distinctive village character.

R1 West of the Village opposite the Community Hall

This is a greenfield site located on the western edge of the village opposite the community hall and adjacent to Finuremore Park estate. The land rises gradually from the roadside to the southern field boundary. Any new development shall have respect for the visual elements and character of the settlement with regard to layout, design etc. This site has the capacity to accommodate an in-depth development of permanent residential units to provide for local population growth. It would also allow for the natural extension to the existing housing development. Development must be reflective of the scale of the existing settlement and its target population. Access shall be restricted to a single access point. The mature trees bordering the site must be retained as part of any development proposals in the area.

Strategic Residential Reserve (SRR)

Acknowledging that not all lands within the settlement boundary of Mullagh will be required for development to 2029, lands which comprise infill or contiguous sites or have a planning history for residential use and can form part of the long-term sequential expansion of the settlement are zoned SRR. Consideration may be given to the development of some SRR lands before the end of the plan period, in line with provisions set out for Strategic Residential Reserve in Section 19.4 of Volume 1.

Place Making and Regeneration

There is potential for the enhancement of the public realm and creating more attractive spaces Within the village, spaces are more attractive where a building or boundary wall defines the limit of private property facing the public street. The use of medium to darker hue

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colours on painted boundary walls may stay fresh for longer and it is not always necessary for the house colour to match the boundary colour. The undefined margin or set back areas look untidy as the surfaces can be damaged by vehicle parking. There is scope for a suitable gateway feature on the triangle of grass at the intersection entering the village from the east.

There is a derelict cottage in the village centre which has been enhanced by painting the building and the provision of stone features and planting on the site. The incorporation of green features into public realm and other developments as well as the greening of public spaces will also enhance the overall amenity of the village and help to mitigate against climate change.

The redevelopment of the derelict and vacant buildings on the main street will be supported in order to revitalise the village centre and strengthen its existing character and service base.

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