The Chief Executive of Clare County Council is proposing a variation to the county's development plan, in a move to accelerate housing supply.
If adopted, the variation will see 1,280 acres of land designated to support the delivery of new homes in towns and villages across Co Clare.
Gordon Daly will publish a proposed variation to the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 tomorrow.
"The zoning of this additional land is an important enabler for accelerating the delivery of housing in the county," Mr Daly said.
"The proposed variation also reflects a request by Government to amend county development plans to increase the availability of land for housing."
The proposed variation aims to bring greater clarity and certainty to several key strategic sites in the county town of Ennis.
Of the 1,280 acres of land subject to change as part of the proposal, 324 acres of additional land has been identified for residential use; 336 acres previously identified as long term strategic and sustainable development sites have been identified for residential use; and 212 acres are being proposed as Village Growth Area lands.
The remaining land has been identified as suitable for future housing development outside of this plan’s period.
The local authority said the proposed variation has been subject to rigorous environmental and flood risk assessments.
The move comes on the back of the establishment of a new Housing Activation Office within Clare County Council, the purpose of which is to work with all landowners, the house building industry, communities and other stakeholders to accelerate housing delivery in the county.
"Increasing house activation is not just about building homes, it is also a catalyst for regenerating our towns, tackling rural depopulation, and fostering economic development across Co Clare," Mr Daly said.
"By designating additional land for housing, we are providing greater options for housing development and laying the foundation for vibrant, sustainable communities and a stronger local economy, " he added.
The proposed changes to the county development plan have been developed in consultation with the elected members of Clare County Council, whose function will be to adopt the variation to the plan.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Paul Murphy encouraged all interested parties to make submissions during the allotted period between 6 March and 7 April.
"This is a huge opportunity for stakeholders and the public to help shape housing activation and the future development of the county and county town," Cllr Murphy said.
