Update on plans for development on green area in Kilkenny
A proposal to rezone a green space in Kilkenny City to build housing has advanced
A report on the submissions received by Kilkenny County Council in relation to plans to change the zoning of 0.18 hectares (0.45 acres) of lands within an existing green space / neighbourhood park in Loughboy was considered at February's meeting of Kilkenny County Council.
The proposed plans seek to alter the Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 to change the zoning of the subject lands from ‘Open Space’ to ‘Existing Residential’, in order to accommodate housing suitable for older persons / persons with disabilities.
When these plans were published and placed under public consultation, a large number of submissions were received.
One of the submission contended that ‘the proposed houses will take green space from children’s play area’.
To this the Chief Executive’s response was that the area ‘has suffered from under utilisation and anti-social behaviour’ and that ‘there is no impact or loss of play area anticipated as a result of the variation’.
The Chief Executive also defended the consultation process with residents in the area prior to public consultation, which was subject to some scrutiny.
Another major issue raised in submissions, among others, was parking.
To this, the Chief Executive noted that ‘design detail of any parking associated with housing on these lands into the future, will be addressed at the relevant planning process stage’.
As mentioned, the Chief Executive’s report was considered at the most recent plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council, and the proposed variation to the County Development Plan was adopted.
The proposal will now proceed to the planning and detailed design phase.