Plans formally lodged for striking new river facilities in Kilkenny
The facilities would be built on a site of approximately 0.24 hectares within the grounds of County Hall in Kilkenny City
Kilkenny County Council has lodged plans with An Coimisiún Pleanála seeking approval for a new riverside facilities centre along the River Nore in Kilkenny City.
The local authority is applying under Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) for the proposed Nore River Facilities Kilkenny development, which would be built on a site of approximately 0.24 hectares within the grounds of County Hall at Johns Street Lower.
The proposed scheme would involve the demolition of an existing single-storey maintenance store and the removal of selected vegetation to make way for the new facilities.
Plans include a single-storey facilities building containing public toilets, a universally accessible bathroom, a ‘Changing Places’ facility, shower and changing cubicles, storage lockers, a drying room, outdoor showers and associated plant areas.
The building would feature a flat intensive green roof.
An adjoining community building is also proposed, incorporating a community room, kitchenette and a plant room which would also serve as a central information point.
A covered outdoor terrace would connect the buildings.
The development would also provide dedicated storage for equipment, including dragon boats and rowing boats, along with a separate boat and general storage area.
Externally, the proposal includes a hard-landscaped pedestrian plaza with seating and planting, a boat wash-down area with a surface water UV filtration system, and a shared surface for pedestrian use and vehicle access to facilitate boat loading and unloading.
Access to the River Nore would be provided via a sloped path over the existing berm, together with steps, retaining walls, handrails and a raised walkway leading to a new fixed and floating pontoon on the river.
The plans also include site drainage and service connections, one universally accessible parking space, covered bicycle parking, public lighting, landscaping and archaeological investigations, including test excavations and underwater surveys.
The application is accompanied by the required environmental assessments and supporting reports.
An Coimisiún Pleanála will decide whether to approve the proposed development.