Four Clare County Council planning projects have been shortlisted for honours at the 8th annual National Planning Awards in Dublin Castle on 21st February.

The projects are among 33 shortlisted by the Irish Planning Institute, the organisers of the all-island awards scheme.

The National Planning Awards recognise successful and innovative planning strategies, schemes or developments, which make an outstanding contribution to the quality of life in urban and rural parts of Ireland. The overall winning entry this year will represent Ireland in the European Urban & Regional Planning Achievement Awards to be held during the autumn.

Amongst the shortlisted Clare projects and plans is the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland's largest estuary. The land and marine-based plan, the first of its type to be developed in the country, was commissioned by a multi-agency steering group comprising Clare County Council as lead authority, Kerry County Council, Limerick City and County Councils, Shannon Development and Shannon Foynes Port Company. The Plan has been shortlisted in the Economic Planning Award category.

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The Lough Derg Heritage Trail - a partnership project between Clare, Galway and North Tipperary County Councils - has also been shortlisted for a Heritage Planning Award, a category that recognises excellence in the conservation, preservation and re-use of buildings, features and landscapes of heritage importance as part of a plan or project.

The Shannon Town and Environs Local Area Plan 2012-18 - the first stand alone town plan that has been produced for Shannon - has been shortlisted for the Urban Design & Place Making Award. The Plan, which was the subject of a public consultation process during 2012, provides a framework for the future development and enhancement of Clare's second largest town and its environs for the next 6 years.

Meanwhile, the Shannon Town Green Infrastructure Plan 2012 has been shortlisted in the Environmental & Sustainable Planning and Heritage Planning Award categories.

The National Planning Awards Jury Panel comprised of five senior and distinguished members of planning and related professions. After careful deliberation, 33 nominations for plans, projects, programmes, tools, processes and reports were shortlisted.

(CD/MH)