Doonaha
Doonaha Location and Context Doonaha is located on the Loop Head Peninsula near the shores of the Shannon Estuary, northeast of Carrigaholt and close to Glasheen Beach. Extensive views are afforded of the estuary, particularly from the quay road and from the main road through the village. The surrounding landscape is quite sensitive in terms of its capacity to absorb development. The facilities in Doonaha are centred on the junction in the village and include a church, GAA grounds, O’Curry’s Hall, and a primary school. There is a large caravan and camping site by the quayside. Future growth will be targeted towards the main settlements of Carrigaholt and Kilkee, however, there is potential for some limited development within Doonaha without having a detrimental impact on the village. The village is served by the West Clare Regional Water Supply. There is no wastewater treatment infrastructure and any future development, including alterations to existing 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. The Natura Impact Report accompanying this Plan (Volume 10a) provides relevant mitigation measures and recommendations at site and project level. General Objectives • To encourage the small-scale expansion of the village throughout the lifetime of this Plan in order to sustain and increase the population of the area and support new and existing services in the village; • To ensure that future growth in Doonaha is incremental and small scale in nature, relative and appropriate to the scale, size and character of the population and services in the village; • To support the provision of infrastructure to allow for future growth of the village; • It is recognised that the shoreline in proximity to Doonaha Quay is eroding. An appropriate set-back will be required of all future developments in proximity to the shoreline to minimise the requirement for engineering interventions in the area and as an adaptation measure to the impacts of climate change; and • To support the development of a settlement network on the Loop Head Peninsula including Doonaha along with Querrin and Carrigaholt, to assist collaborative projects and the sharing of assets and strengths including developing its economic and tourism potential as a stopping point on the Wild Atlantic Way. __________________________________________________________________________________ Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029
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