1.1 This summary
document presents a synopsis of the outcomes of a process that formally
began in Crusheen/Ballinruan in 1997. It represents the condensed outcomes
from a range of consultations held with a wide variety of individuals
and organisations relevant to the process (it is recommended that reference
is made to the main report and to the associated maps and documents
for a fuller coverage of the process and its outcomes). The resultant
plan sets forward a vision for Crusheen/Ballinruan which it is intended
will apply for the next five to ten years. It does not however presume
to set a final end-state for the area and its development status. This
is a matter which will require reviewing on a regular basis by the community
and the appropriate organisations involved in the process. The format
of the plan enables reviews to take place, priorities to be addressed
(and changed where necessary) and ongoing consultations to be facilitated.
1.2 The planning
process undertaken as part of the exercise revealed that the parish
is experiencing change at a rapid rate and that while a number of residents
may not be fully sure as to how such change will affect them in future,
almost all wish to be part of a dynamic parish which interacts confidently
with this changing environment, thereby influencing and moderating the
causal factors associated with current development processes. This is
evident in the desire to allocate space for residents of the parish
for housing provision including social housing, to improve care for
the elderly and for those with special needs, to provide vibrant and
environmentally friendly tourist services and enterprises and to fully
utilise and give expression to local skills and talents. These objectives
are to be achieved through animated community structures working in
consort with statutory agencies including Clare County Council and the
private sector. This document and the associated main report and maps
are intended to assist all stakeholders in achieving these objectives
in a co-ordinated, confident and phased manner.
1.3 The document
enables the vision for where we want to go as a community to be formulated
and expressed in a coherent manner. As such the vision is an ideal that
is worked towards through the objectives which have been agreed. The
objectives act as markers and enable us to view our progress along the
road at various times. The document is intended to help co-ordinate
the day to day life of the parish and to help manage the implications
of on-going change. The plan is an outcome of a number of initiatives
undertaken in the parish from house meetings to detailed survey work
and workshop meetings. It reflects the contributions made by all members
of the parish to the process and the efforts made by Crusheen/Ballinruan
Development Group to promote the principles and practices of sustainable
local development.
