Ennis Chamber publishes report on ‘Ennis Residential Zoning’
Ennis Chamber, together with Ennis Chamber Property Developer Group, recently commissioned a professional report examining Ennis Residential Zoning, carried out by consultants People & Place.
The detailed report – ‘Ennis Residential Zoning Profile’ is now published, and was shared and positively received at a presentation to senior representatives of Clare County Council including Chief Executive Gordon Daly, Senior Planner Helen Quinn, members of the forward planning team, senior engineers and Murphy, Director of Service with responsibility for Planning and for Ennis Municipal District.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of all residentially zoned lands within the Ennis settlement boundary, as designated under the Clare County Development plan 2023 – 2029.
Key findings:
- Of the total 91 hectares of residential zoning included in the plan approximately 31 hectares have been fully or partially activated for residential development to date.
- The remaining 60 hectares of zoned land have been assessed in detail within the report to determine their development potential between 2025 and 2029, considering planning activity, servicing capacity, and on the ground constraints.
- A substantial portion of this land has been categorised as having lower or medium potential for activation within the current plan, raising concerns about the capacity of these lands alone to meet near-term housing needs.
- It should be noted that this near-term need is in advance of increased housing targets due, following the release of the revised National Planning Framework.
- In light of these findings, it is likely that lands currently designated as a strategic residential reserve (SRR) will need to be reconsidered for development in order to support the delivery of required housing and to respond effectively to revised population targets under the updated National Planning Framework.
- The assessment also highlights a range of infrastructural deficits within Ennis such as wastewater treatment capacity, transport infrastructures and the absence of certain enabling infrastructure (future neighbourhood developments) that are acting as constraints on the delivery of residential development.
It is intended that this report will serve as a supporting evidence baseline for the Forward Planning Team within Clare County Council and that it will help inform future zoning decisions, infrastructure investment priorities, and housing delivery strategies for Ennis and its wider catchment.
By aligning zoned land availability with infrastructure capacity and realistic development potential, this report aims to contribute constructively to the achievement of both the existing and forthcoming housing targets in the county development plan and beyond.
Click here to read Ennis Residential Zoning Profile:
