LOUGHMACASK MASTERPLAN, KILKENNY

Issues Paper for Pre-Draft Consultation20.01.2020

BSM Job Reference

6682

Issuing Date/Office

16/01/2020/Dublin

ISSUE REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE PREPARED BY CHECKED BY

DRAFT PR04 Loughmacask Issues Paper 15.01.20 AL

DRAFT PR04_00 Loughmacask Issues Paper 16.01.20 AL

PURPOSE OF REPORT

BACKGROUND TO THE LOUGHMACASK MASTERPLAN

LOUGHMACASK IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CITY

LOUGHMACASK TODAY

SOME KEY ISSUES TO CONSIDER AS PART OF THE MASTERPLAN DEVELOPMENT

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

CONTENTS

Kilkenny County Council (KCC) have begun the preparation of a Masterplan for lands at Loughmacask. In 2008, KCC prepared the Loughmacask Local Area Plan (LAP). A six year plan (2008-2014), extended until 2018, the LAP has since expired.

To ensure a co-ordinated planning and development mechanism is in place for the lands, KCC have commissioned Brady Shipman Martin (BSM) and CS Group Consulting (CSG) to prepare a masterplan, which will, in effect, supersede the LAP. To assist with public engagement and to aid the project team to prepare and deliver the masterplan, a synopsis report has been prepared. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary overview of the Loughmacask LAP, including the policies, objectives and proposals proposed within, and to analyse the merits of such policies/objectives in the context of changing planning and development regulations and market

demands of today.

As a first step in preparing the Loughmacask Masterplan, the Council and project team area undertaking a public consultation and workshop event. Members of the public and local stakeholders are invited to share ideas and knowledge and identify potential issues/challenges which they feel should be considered as part of the Loughmacask Masterplan.

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

Figure 1: Loughmacask Location Plan

Key

Loughmacask Masterplan

N O R T H

A detailed Local Area Plan (LAP) for the Loughmacask area was prepared in 2008, providing a 6 year framework to guide the planning and development of the lands (see blue line below). The LAP provided detailed site specific planning development guidance, in the form of a written statement with policies, objectives, and a design guide, accompanied by maps and appendices.

The LAP, 2008- 2014 and extended until 2018, has now since expired. Since the adoption of the LAP a number of significant changes, which may impact on the future development of the area, include namely, the establishment of Irish Water, the acquisition of lands for the provision of a new secondary school for CBS Kilkenny, the implementation of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) project in the Western Environs of the City, the granting of permissions for in excess of 300 houses on lands within the LAP plan area, the adoption of Project Ireland 2040; National Planning Framework and the Draft Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region.

In addition to the above, Kilkenny County Council has commenced the preparation of a new County and City Development Plan for the period 2020 -2026. As part of that review it is intended to prepare a Masterplan for the Loughmacask area for incorporation into the forthcoming County & City plan by way of appropriate policy and objectives. The Masterplan will effectively replace the LAP as the principal guiding document for the area within the overall framework set out in the overarching County & City Plan. The area involved in the preparation of the Loughmacask Masterplan will amend the original LAP area extents to incorporate the Breagagh Valley Park and existing housing along Lord Edward Street, Butt’s Green and the Water Barrack.

The Loughmacask Masterplan will establish the vision and principles for the long term development of the area, and will be the guiding document for the area within the overall framework set out in the KCCDP.

BACKGROUND TO THE LOUGHMACASK MASTERPLAN

Figure 2: Boundary Plan

Key

Loughmacask Masterplan

Loughmacask Local Area Plan

N O R T H

Kennyswell Road

Lousybush LaneFreshford Road

Palmerstown Road

Granges Road

Kilkenny is the county town of County Kilkenny, and is at the heart of Medieval Ireland. It is the only inland urban settlement that is designated as a city – a title it has enjoyed since 1609. Situated in the Nore Valley in the southeast, Kilkenny dates back to the 6th century and has established on both banks of the River Nore.

The original core of the town is on the western bank of the river, where the Parade, High Street and Coal Market formed a spine that followed the alignment of the river, and with Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral and Round Tower de-marking the southern and northern extent of the town. Kilkenny was a walled town, with walls on three sides, and the river providing defence along the eastern side. The establishment of bridges allowed natural expansion of the core to the eastern side of the river, where the heritage of the city remains clearly visible today in the range of important architectural set pieces, and in the form of the burgage plots.

The city centre is a compact city, distinctive for its busy narrow streets and laneways that reflect its medieval origins, the river setting, and the many historic buildings that are intrinsic parts of the identity of the City. Kilkenny is renowned for its architectural and cultural heritage, its authenticity as an historic Irish city, its ecclesiastical background, its brewing tradition and sporting prowess, and also for its culture of arts and festivals. Kilkenny City has a strong tourism reputation that is recognised both nationally and internationally.

Importantly, Kilkenny continues to experience high demand as a place to work, live and visit, with the appeal of a vibrant city centre that balances medieval with modern, and the rural context which is so readily accessible and offers a wide range of amenities.

Kilkenny has evolved and grown in modern times, principally to the east and south at the Eastern Environs and Loughboy, and more recently into the Western Environs. Loughmacask is the north western sector of the city, and remains substantially undeveloped.

On-going growth and development of Kilkenny City and Environs is reflected in statistics including:

• Over 20 companies with 600+ available jobs attended a Jobs Fair, 28th Dec 2019; reflecting a strong and growing employment base;

• Approx. 102 residential units are currently under construction; and

• A population target, by the National Planning Framework, in Kilkenny of 30,000 persons by 2026 (an increase of 3,500 persons since 2016).

The requirement for properly planned development, such as at Loughmacask, is important to provide for forecasted growth in employment, population and thus housing growth and demands.

LOUGHMACASK IN THE CONTEXT OF KILKENNY CITY

Figure 3: Wider Settlement Context

EASTERN ENVIRONS

WESTERN ENVIRONS

LOUGHBOY

LOUGHMACASK

KILKENNY CITY CENTRE

CILLÍN HILL AGRI-BUSINESS PARK

PURCELLSINCH BUSINESS PARK

KILKENNY BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY PARK

ST. LUKE’S HOSPITAL

STRA

TEG

IC R

ESER

VE L

AN

DS

STRATEGIC RESERVE LANDS

Key

Masterplan boundary

Existingtree’s&hedgerows

LoughMacask

Existingwaterfeatures

Amenity/recreation destinations

Existingsportspitches

Existingextentsoffloodrisk

AcquiredsiteforCBS SecondarySchool

Industrial land use

Residentiallanduse

Community/Medicalland uses

Sevesoriskzones

Landmarkbuildings

ArchitecturalConservation Areas

ProposedNaturalHeritage Area

RecordofProtected Structure

ProtectedViews/Prospects

Loughmacask must be a distinctive place in its own right, adding to the locational choice and diversity of the overall City, but must also be a connected part of the city – both physically and culturally. It will respond to and be informed by the existing city and its heritage; the green and blue infrastructural linkages to the city centre and the rural context; the landscape and topography of the site and its context, and the Central Access Scheme, and will anticipate the delivery of the Breagagh Valley Park as an integral part of the Masterplan.

Loughmacask will be part of the next chapter in the evolution and growth of Kilkenny, and will ensure Kilkenny continues to enjoy its reputation as a distinctive place to live, with a strong sense of heritage as well as the benefits of contemporary living standards.

A range of natural and physical features and assets exist within the masterplan area, most notably:

• The Breagagh Valley;

• Existing water features including Lough Macask, a proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA) and a watercourse with associated areas of flooding;

• A network of tree’s and hedgerows of varying condition and quality;

• Records of Protected Monuments and a Protected Structure and Recorded Monument, including Kilcreen House and Kenny’s Well, a ritual holy well;

• Architectural Conservation Areas (ACA); St. Mary’s, St. Canice’s and Talbot Inch;

• Grasslands Fertiliser factory with designated Seveso Risk zones;

• The Dicksboro GAA Club;

• Fr. McGrath Community Centre and amenity area;

• Waterbarracks Playing Fields; and

• An acquired site for a new CBS Secondary School.

LOUGHMACASK TODAY

Figure 4: Existing site features and assets

N O R T H

• What is your vision for the Loughmacask lands?

• Cognisance of the Loughmacask Local Area Plan, planning policies and objectives within and associated design proposals. Do they still warrant consideration or a fresh look?

• Cognisance of land use zoning objectives of Kilkenny County Council and, for example, lands zoned Strategic Reserve Lands, west of the masterplan boundary, should be considered to future proof potential longer term development;

• Environmental, heritage and ecological designations and assets on-site;

• The alignment, function and validity of the Inner Relief Road (now referred to as the Central Access Scheme) in the context of climate change, alternative mobility modes beyond the car;

• Understanding the current and future needs of existing stakeholders on and off site i.e. Dicksboro GAA club, Fr. McGrath Centre etc.;

• How to facilitate housing needs and demands on site;

• Proximity of the Loughmacask lands to Kilkenny City;

• Social and community infrastructure needs and demands;

• Responsive design approaches towards existing local settlement;

• Potential opportunity to relocate existing uses, including for example formal recreation uses;

• Ecological and biodiversity value and amenity/recreational potential of the Breagagh Valley;

• Cultural heritage and landscape designations on site and the integration of such as part of the Masterplan;

• Proposed relocation of CBS Kilkenny Secondary School to Loughmacask; and

• The visual relationship and physical connectivity between the site and Kilkenny City.

SOME KEY ISSUES TO CONSIDER AS PART OF THE MASTERPLAN DEVELOPMENT

N O R T H

Key

Loughmacask Masterplan

Kilkenny County Council invites you to participate in the process of preparing a Masterplan for lands at Loughmacask, Kilkenny. The purpose of the Masterplan will be to provide a framework for the medium to long term development of the Masterplan lands, including those previously covered by the now expired Loughmacask Local Area Plan.

There are two key components to this consultation process:

• An invitation to make submissions and,

• A public consultation evening which will be held at Dicksboro GAA Clubhouse, Palmerstown Road, Kilkenny R95 D362 on Monday 20th of January 2020 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

Submission can be made before 5pm on Wednesday 12th of February 2020 as follows:

• Online at consult.kilkenny.ie/ or

• By Email to ourplan@kilkennycoco.ie

• In writing to: The Senior Planner, Planning Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall John Street, Kilkenny.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Submissions must be made no later than 12th February 2020 @ 5pmYOUR COMMENTS:

Name:

Address:

Contact Details: