Development plan · Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 — Volume 2
A further volume of the council's development plan.
Kilkenny County Council · 2021–2027 · 135 pages
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- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 40 Kilkenny City Core Retail area The Core Area for Kilkenny is clearly comprised of High Street (including Market Cross Shopping Centre), Rose Inn Street and St Kieran’s Street. There has been limited change since the previous designation was made to warrant any major diversion from the previous CRA as identified in the 2014 Development Plan. Since the adoption of the 2014 City & Environs Development Plan, the Council has prepared a Masterplan for the Abbey Quarter area. (See Figure ERS1.) For clarity, and in keeping with Policy RPO55 of the RSES, the sequential approach will apply to Kilkenny City and the Core Retail Area. However, in keeping with Section 4.4 of the Retail Planning Guidelines the application of the sequential test will exclude allocated opportunity sites and/or master planned sites identified for retail expansion of town centre activities, where planning applications are in accord with the policies and objectives of a development plan, in order that the delivery of those sites is unimpeded. Out of Centre Retail Out of centre retailing is predominantly relevant to Kilkenny City, where there are a number of small out of centre retail locations. In addition, there is a large retail park on the outskirts and south of the city. The Kilkenny Retail Park is comprised of large units mostly for the sale of bulky goods. In addition to the retail park, there are a number of local neighbourhood centres located within the bounds of Kilkenny that provide a supporting role to the retail and services offer of the City Centre. While these shops and services are important, their growth should continue to be carefully managed so as to ensure that they would never have the opportunity to compete with Kilkenny City Centre. The local centres within the bounds of Kilkenny include: • Newpark Shopping Centre (19 units); • Loughboy Shopping Centre (12 units); • Waterford Road (11 units); • Lidl on Johnswell Road; • Aldi at Hebron Industrial Estate These local centre locations provide an important convenience goods offer and, in most cases, a limited range of services for local residents and should continue to be supported albeit given limited opportunity to expand.
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- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 41 Retail Objectives Objectives i. To ensure that Kilkenny County possesses a clear policy framework that can adequately meet the retail needs of the County’s residents over the plan period, and that will inform the preparation and assessment of retail proposals; ii. To enhance and promote the vitality and viability of Kilkenny City Centre, and to support the centre’s role as the dominant retail destination within the County; iii. Promote Kilkenny City Centre as a shopping destination that is competitive with other comparable shopping destinations in the South East and further afield; iv. To sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of the four District Towns and their retail offer, and to support their continued growth in accordance with the Core Strategy; v. To ensure a town centre first approach is adopted for all future retail development across the County, whereby the order of priority for the sequential approach will be City and Town Centre sites, edge-of-centre sites, and out-of-centre sites; vi. To promote flexibility and a mix of uses within the County’s centres, and in particular, promote residential development on upper floors; vii. To encourage the reduction in vacant floorspace, taking into account suitability, obsolescence, and the identification of alternative uses that may be appropriate where possible, facilitate the regeneration and reuse of derelict buildings in appropriate locations for town centre uses and support the retention and maintenance of heritage premises and shopfronts; viii. To improve the accessibility of each of the County’s centres and promote all modes of transport; ix. To appropriately manage car parking and accessibility for the short term, whilst also planning ahead to a future where private vehicle travel may not be the dominant form of transport; x. To promote investment in Place-Making and high quality public realm through new development, and the enhancement of existing public realm in the City as well as throughout the County’s centres. The aim is to provide more attractive and vibrant urban centre and village locations, supporting retail activity and the wider commercial economy of our settlements and thereby increase footfall; xi. Ensure all new development respects and enhances the historic environment; xii. Promote the adaptive reuse of existing units as a priority ahead of developing sites for additional retail floorspace, unless there is a demonstrated need; xiii. To ensure that the synergies between tourism and retailing are taken advantage of; xiv. A joint Retail Strategy shall be undertaken between Kilkenny County Council and Waterford City and County Council for the area covered by the Waterford Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan (MASP) in accordance with the Retail Guidelines and RSES.
- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 42 Retail Policies Having regard to the retail objectives outlined above, a set of retail policies have been drafted and these are set out in Volume 1, Section 5.6.8 Retail Policies. The policies that apply specifically to Kilkenny City are set out below. Policy 1: Plan-led approach All proposals for retail floorspace and town centre uses, must accord with the relevant requirements of the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities 2012 and the Kilkenny County Retail Strategy 2021-2027. Policy 2: Retail hierarchy Development in the County’s centres should be of a type, size and scale appropriate to the centre, having due regard for the retail hierarchy and the appropriate level of development at each tier. The appropriate level of development at each tier is defined at Table 3.2. Table 3.2 Summary of Appropriate Level of Retail Development Tier Settlement Category Settlement Appropriate Level of Retail Development 1 Cities None at present Major retail destination within the County, offering a wide variety of convenience and comparison goods along with an extensive offer of retail, financial and business, leisure services including arts and cultural facilities. Provides a range independent and specialist shops. 2 Large towns Kilkenny City Key shopping destination offering a variety of convenience and comparison goods, along with a range of retail and leisure services and some financial and business services. 3 Smaller towns and villages Callan Castlecomer Graiguenamanagh Thomastown Local shopping destination serving the surrounding hinterland with a limited offer of convenience and comparison goods, and retail and leisure services. 4 Smaller settlement s and rural areas Various Limited retail offer generally comprising a local convenience store, public house, fuel filling station and post office. Policy 3: Town centre vitality and viability Within the Core Retail Areas in Kilkenny City and the District Towns, development proposals that will make a contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre will be permitted. Residential development will be encouraged on the upper floors of town centre properties.
- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 43 Policy 4: City/Town centre first In addition to the sequential approach outlined in the Retail Planning Guidelines, Kilkenny County Council will adopt a City/Town centre first policy. Where the location of a proposed retail development is in an edge-of-centre or out-of-centre location, a sequential test must be applied in line with the Retail Planning Guidelines. The order of priority for the sequential approach is to locate retail development in Kilkenny City Centre CRA, the District Town Centre CRAs and village centres, and only to allow retail development in edge-of-centre or out-of-centre locations where all other options have been exhausted. The sequential test should be strictly applied and applicants will be required to consider altering their formats and considering smaller sites and multi-storey options. In accordance with RPO 151(f) and (g) of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, adequacy of parking provision at non-residential sites will not be considered as a measure for site suitability in sequential tests. Where retail development at an edge-of-centre site is being proposed, permission will only be granted where the applicant can demonstrate that there are no sites or potential sites including vacant units within the city/town/village centres that are (a) suitable (b) available and (c) viable, as defined at Paragraph 4.4.2 of the Retail Planning Guidelines. Where no town centre or edge of centre sites are available, the Planning Authority must not approve development unless it is satisfied that there will be no negative impact on the viability or vitality of the city/town centre. Where retail development at an out-of-centre site is being proposed, the site will only be considered where the applicant can demonstrate that: a) there are no sites or potential sites either within, or on the edge of, Kilkenny City Centre, the District Town Centres and village centres that are (a) suitable (b) available and (c) viable; and b) they would contribute towards and support the achievement of compact growth and revitalisation/rejuvenation of city or town centre as envisaged in objectives 3c, 4 and 6 of the National Planning Framework in order to allow a positive presumption in favour of the application under NPO 11 of the NPF. Policy 5: Retail Impact Assessment A Retail Impact Assessment will be required for development which features: a) Proposals of greater than 1,000 sq. m of net floorspace in Kilkenny city, including extensions to existing units; or b) Proposals of greater than 500 sq. m of net retail floorspace in all other settlements, including extensions to existing units. As described at Paragraph 4.9 and Annexe 5 of the Retail Planning Guidelines, the Retail Impact Assessment shall at a minimum include the following: (i) Identification of catchment or study area; (ii) Estimation of expenditure available within the defined catchment or study area; (iii) Estimation of the turnover of existing centres within the catchment area which is likely to be affected by a new development; (iv) Estimation of the turnover of the new development for which a planning application is being lodged; and
- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 44 (v) Estimation of the quantum of consumer retail spending available in the catchment area which will be diverted from existing centres to the new retail development. In addition to the above, the Retail Impact Assessment shall demonstrate how the development proposal would contribute towards and support the achievement compact growth and revitalisation/rejuvenation of city or town centres as envisaged in objectives 3c, 4 and 6, 11 and 27 of the National Planning Framework. Policy 6: Kilkenny City Centre In order to ensure the retail function, profile and competitiveness of Kilkenny City is retained, applications for retail development and other town centre uses that will make a contribution to retaining Kilkenny’s role as the dominant retail destination within the County will be supported. Retail development and other main town centre uses should be prioritised to be located within Kilkenny’s Core Retail Area to ensure the vitality and viability of the historic core is protected and promoted. Similarly, it is of great importance to ensure that the historic character of the Core Retail Area is protected. An important balance must be struck between creating a dynamic and commercially successful retailing environment and an attractive historic setting. Proposals that incorporate improvements to the City’s laneways will be supported by the Council, particularly where involving creative solutions designed to activate redundant spaces. Policy 7: Town centre accessibility Improvements to the accessibility of each of the centres will be supported. In particular, proposals that include developing a pedestrian and cyclist friendly environment, and/or improve safety and limit traffic congestion will be prioritised. Wherever possible, development that encourages a shift towards sustainable modes of transport will be encouraged. Policy 8: High quality public realm Development proposals that incorporate improvements to public realm within town centres, and particularly within the Core Retail Areas, shall be supported by the Council. Policy 9: Historic environment Development within each of the centres should be designed in accordance with the provisions of Vol. 1 Chapter 9 Heritage and Vol. 2 Heritage Strategy. Policy 10: Amalgamation of units The Council may accept proposals for the amalgamation of two or more units within a centre where the applicant can demonstrate: a) There is no alternative vacant unit of an appropriate size and location for the proposal; and b) The proposal would not detract from the overall vitality and viability of the centre; and c) Where relevant, the proposal has been designed using appropriate conservation principles and expertise (See Chapter 9 Heritage and Vol. 2 Heritage Strategy), thereby retaining the building in use and maintaining the essential character of the streetscape.
- Economic and Retail Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 45 Policy 11: Traffic and Transport Assessment Applications for retail development proposals for more than 1,000 sq. m net floorspace shall be required to submit a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA). As required by the Retail Planning Guidelines, the TTA must examine the transport impacts of a proposed development, incorporating any subsequent measures necessary to ensure roads and junctions and other transport infrastructure, including car parks, in the vicinity of the development are adequate to accommodate the proposed development without causing additional delays or issues to existing and future road based traffic. Most importantly, a TTA will be required to demonstrate how to encourage a shift towards sustainable travel modes by those using the retail development in question. Policy 12: Tourism, Markets and Events Development proposals within the County’s centres that seek to improve the tourism offer will be supported. Tourism proposals should contribute to improving a positive public perception. Proposals that form a link between tourism and the offer of the town centre will be looked upon favourably by the Council. Similarly, markets and public events that are expected to have a positive influence on public perception of a centre will be supported. Within Kilkenny City Centre, proposals that would make a positive contribution to the function of the Medieval Mile will be supported. Policy 13: Retail Parks No further retail parks will be granted permission in and around Kilkenny City and Environs over the period of this City and County Development Plan. Policy 14: Significant Retail Locations In line with the sequential approach to retail developments the first-choice location for significant retail development is the Abbey Quarter and MacDonagh Junction. The Mart site can be considered following completion of the masterplan exercise required by Objective C2E.
- Heritage Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 46 4 Heritage Strategy 4.1 Introduction Volume 1, Chapter 9, Heritage and Culture, sets the general context for Heritage in the entire County. Kilkenny City itself has a rich and varied built, natural and cultural heritage resource. Rivers, trees, woodlands, hedgerows, geology, landscape, plants and animals are all part of our natural heritage. Buildings and structures such as houses, shops, churches, bridges and mills, and also archaeological sites are features of our built heritage. Our cultural heritage includes aspects of heritage, such as traditions, practices, knowledge and skills, which are an expression of our culture. This Heritage Strategy focuses on the city area as an entity in itself as part of the Plan for the City set out in Volume 2. 4.2 Natural Heritage A number of areas in Kilkenny City have been identified as being of exceptional importance for biodiversity at a national and/or international level. These areas are protected through national and European legislation. In addition, certain plant, animal and bird species found in the county and the City are considered rare or vulnerable and are protected by Irish law. (See Volume 1, Chapter 9 for an overview of natural heritage.) Protected habitats and species designated for nature conservation in Kilkenny City 4.2.1.1 European Sites (Natura 2000) The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) provide for the conservation and protection of breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species, and rare habitat types in a European context considered to be most in need of conservation. Such sites form part of an EU network of ecologically important and protected sites known as Natura 2000 sites and comprise: Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) – these sites are selected for the conservation and protection of plant and animal species (other than birds) and habitats listed in Annex I and Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) respectively. Special Protection Areas (SPAs) – these sites are selected for the conservation and protection of birds and their habitats designated under the EU Birds Directive 2009 (2009/147/EC) (first adopted in 1979) and transposed into Irish law by the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (SI 291 of 1985). The River Nore flowing through Kilkenny City has been designated as a Natura 2000 site, being both a SAC and a SPA. As set out in Chapter 1, Volume 1, the Council will ensure that an Appropriate Assessment, in accordance with Articles 6(3) and Article 6(4) is carried out in respect of any plan or project not directly
- Heritage Strategy Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 2 47 connected with or necessary to the management of the site, but likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site(s), either individually or in combination with other plans or projects, in view of the site’s conservation objectives. 4.2.1.2 Natural Heritage Areas within the City Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) and proposed Natural Heritage Areas (pNHAs) are designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 and encompass nationally important semi-natural and natural habitats, landforms and geomorphological features. There are 3 Natural Heritage Areas in the city; Newpark Marsh (00845), Loughmacask (0019114) and the Dunmore Complex (001859). Archersgrove (002051) is located outside but adjacent to the development boundary (See Figure HS1). Green Infrastructure Green Infrastructure can be defined as strategically planned and interconnected networks of green space and water capable of delivering ecosystem services and quality of life benefits. A Habitat and Green Infrastructure Survey30 of Kilkenny City and environs was carried out in 2010, which identified and mapped key habitats and green infrastructure, see Figure HS2. The findings of such surveys are vital to improving our understanding of biodiversity resource in the city and environs, and will be used to inform the development management process and any future Green Infrastructure Strategy. Significant assets exist in the City such as the Rivers Nore, Breagagh and Pococke along with the Castle Park and the pNHA sites of the Newpark Marsh, Loughmacask and the Dunmore complex. There is an opportunity to build on these assets and create an integrated Green Infrastructure for the City. Woodland, Trees and Hedgerows Woodlands and trees contribute significantly to the biodiversity and landscape character of the city and county. They are a vital part of a network of habitats, ecological ‘corridors’ and ‘stepping stones’ essential for wildlife to flourish and move between and within habitats. They have a vital role to play in climate adaptation. They filter out noise, dust and pollutants and help minimise flooding by retaining moisture. 30 The Councils of the City and County of Kilkenny, Habitat Survey and Mapping of Kilkenny City, 2010. Objectives C4A To identify and map green infrastructure assets and sites of local biodiversity value over the lifetime of the Plan C4B To develop a green infrastructure strategy integrating the existing assets and identifying new assets. See Volume 1 Section 9.2 Natural Heritage
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