'More consideration' on Abbey Quarter 'needed' amid 'critical' time for Kilkenny
"The Abbey Quarter could be the engine of a vibrant Kilkenny but communities and elected representatives must have a greater say in it’s future" - Kilkenny Green Party Senator, Malcolm Noonan
Kilkenny senator Malcolm Noonan has argued that the recent decision by elected members to allow Kilkenny County Council to borrow up to €24 million to buy back a development block on the Abbey Quarter site should have been subject to a new round of public consultation on the original masterplan for the site.
“This latest proposal needs to be given much more consideration than a motion with no detailed plan or costing presented to members at plenary of council,” he said.
"There’s no doubt that the development landscape has changed in the decade since the masterplan was adopted and recently reviewed."
The Green Party representative said that since 2015, demand for office and retail has fallen, and there has been ‘limited real activation of the ambition of the masterplan’ in the intervening 12 years.
“Kilkenny is a city that depends on its creative and cultural reputation, yet no space was set aside for community-based arts or culture in the development blocks,” he said.
“This despite overwhelming calls for such an approach in the public participation sessions first set up by the council following purchase of the site.”
Senator Noonan said that while the Mayfair Library and commitment to restore elements of city walls and abbey were positives from the acquisition of the site in 2012, he feels commercial development has under-performed.
He further criticised the fact that “no councillors were allowed to take positions on the board of the Abbey Quarter Development Company.”
“I requested this when the masterplan was first adopted and that request was reiterated by Cllr Maria Dollard at the March meeting of the Council,” he said.
“With a site so fundamental to the future of our city and with so much public money invested, it is an absolute imperative that the elected members have representation at board level.”
The senator further added that “this is a critical time for the future of our city.”
“The Abbey Quarter could be the engine of a vibrant Kilkenny but communities and elected representatives must have a greater say in it’s future,” he said.
“A new public participation process is the best way to help shape that future.”