Development plan · Kilkenny County Council
Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Kilkenny County Council · 2021–2027 · 350 pages
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- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 62 assessments and the planning process. In support of infrastructure delivery, the Council will support the continued rollout of high-speed broadband to the Belview port area within the lifetime of the Plan. Kilkenny County Council will work with Irish Water to ensure an adequate waste water treatment plant and distribution network to service the employment lands at Belview. The Council will also support development of freight rail services and facilities at Belview for the Port to function effectively for the State and support modal shift to freight rail as part of wider climate action programmes. The Council will support the Port of Waterford in the development of port facilities at Belview as outlined in its strategic masterplan10. 5.5.2 District Towns The District Towns perform an important role in driving development in the County and have much potential that can be capitalised upon. Indigenous industry and SME’s are important to these areas. Their strengths lie in their capacity to accommodate employment, residential and other functions on the basis of their comparative advantage in terms of lower costs and a quality of life which is attractive to many people. Each District Town (Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch11 and Thomastown) has a statutory Local Area Plan. 5.5.3 Enterprise and Employment in Rural Areas Rural areas have a vital contribution to make to the achievement of balanced regional development. This involves utilising and developing the economic resources of rural areas, particularly in agriculture 10 Port of Waterford Masterplan 2020 - 2044 11 Graiguenamanagh/Tinnahinch LAP is a joint venture with Carlow County Council and will be adopted as a plan in 2021 Objective 5J To continue to work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to finalise an approach for access to the zoned lands along the N29 at Belview (See Chapter 12 Transport objectives). Objectives 5K To ensure the sustainable development of the District towns in the County to achieve their target populations and enhance their capacity to attract new investment in employment, services and public transport for the benefit of their own populations and that of their rural hinterlands. 5L To promote a diverse and sustainable local economy through the designation of sufficient lands for employment related uses, including facilities, to promote SME growth through the local area plans for the District towns.
- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 63 and food, tourism, forestry, renewable energy, enterprise and local services, while at the same time capitalising on and drawing strength from vibrant neighbouring urban areas. In this way rural and urban areas are seen as working in partnership and complementing, rather than competing with each other. Rural development is addressed in detail in Chapter 7 of this plan. Certain kinds of industry, especially those which involve natural resources and serve rural communities may, at an appropriate scale, have a role to play in rural development. 5.6 Retail Strategy The purpose of a Retail Strategy is to set out clear evidence-based policies and objectives in relation to retailing, in order to support competitiveness and choice whilst promoting the vitality and viability of town centres. Having reviewed the performance of the retail strategy within the City & County Development Plans since it was introduced in 2002, it is considered that, given the scale of activity in County Kilkenny, the requirement for a broad assessment of the quantity of additional retail floorspace needed in counties over the lifetime of their strategy is not necessary to determine spatial allocation of future retail activity. For this reason, the retail strategy carried out for the County (See Appendix A) does not contain a broad quantitative assessment of any potential requirement of retail space. At the national level, the National Planning Framework (NPF) guides all development within Ireland until 2040. The NPF does not provide specific guidance on the national retail strategy, but provides broader guidance on achieving sustainable cities and communities, as well as regionally specific guidance to help promote growth and sustained development. The NPF contains strategic policies seeking to ensure the vitality and viability of Ireland’s urban and rural places. Objective 6 relates to the role and function of urban places, highlighting the Government’s ambition to regenerate and rejuvenate cities, towns and villages as environmental assets to ensure the resiliency and vitality of urban places. National Objective 11 sets out a presumption in favour of development that will encourage people, jobs and activity within existing urban places of all sizes. National Policy Objective 16 highlights the Government’s intention of addressing vacancy rates in small town and village centres to reduce rural decline, and encourage the viability and vibrancy of rural areas. The Southern Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) also recognises retailing as a “key part of the regional economy employing significant numbers and is central to the life and vitality of our cities, towns and village centres”12. The retail climate in Ireland and Kilkenny has become dominated by the impact of COVID-19. Whilst it is difficult at this stage to determine the extent of the impact, there is no doubt that the global pandemic will have a considerable effect on the Irish economy and on the way, we carry out our day to day business. It will be necessary to closely monitor the situation over the coming months and years in order for the Council to respond quickly to impacts as they arise. 12 Southern RSES, page 115
- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 64 Pre Covid-19, the retail sector represented 12% of the country’s GDP, and employed 280,000 employees13. Notwithstanding, and despite the impact of the economic recession and Brexit on the Irish economy, the retail sector was continuing to make a critical contribution to the Irish economy and employment prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. There were 909 wholesale and retail businesses in County Kilkenny (in 2018), representing an increase of 20% since 2012. A large proportion of these businesses are independent traders, specialist boutiques and fashion stores located in the retail centre of Kilkenny City. 5.6.1 A Framework for Town Centre Renewal The Framework for Town Centre Renewal is a document developed from working groups to cultivate strategies aimed at securing vibrant and resilient town centres through town centre renewal. At the centre of this goal, is the importance of the retail sector and its role in supporting town centres, communities and job creation. It identifies the key attributes of successful towns, and provides an action plan and support for town centre renewal. The key driver of the framework’s strategy is stakeholder engagement and a community-led approach to developing a bespoke town centre plan that aims to support its vitality and viability. 5.6.2 Trends in Convenience and Comparison Goods Retailing The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic so far has had varying effects on different types of retailers. Grocery and key services are seeing an increase in activity. DIY stores and garden centres have seemingly benefitted from the situation, with a spike in customers undertaking projects at home14. Meanwhile, many other retailers are struggling. While there is activity online, discretionary spending generally falls dramatically in difficult times. For the comparison goods market, the recurrent theme reported in the media and advised by specialist reports analysing retail trends, relates to the need for retailers to shift towards prioritising the customer experience. This relates to improving the customer experience of in-store shopping, by providing an environment to showcase the potential of products, thereby improving the experience of the product itself, and enhancing in-store experience15. Leisure is often considered a discretionary activity and, as such, consumer spending on leisure is greatly influenced by the economic climate and, in particular, average levels of disposable incomes. Leisure uses within this context include visiting restaurants, bars, cafes, arcades, cinemas and leisure centres. Consumers in Ireland have shown a growing desire to engage in leisure activities. The Central 13 Retail Consumer Report’, PwC, March 2018 14 In Ireland, although economic activity remains below pre-Covid-19 levels, the Chadwick’s and Woodie’s businesses have in recent months outperformed the prior year: Grafton Group half year results Aug 2020. 15 ‘How Does That Make You Feel’, Kantar World Panel, September 2018
- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 65 Statistics Office estimates that expenditure in this category has increased from 20.5% in 1980 to 33.6% in 201616. 5.1.2.1 Local Trends During the course of 2018-19, a number of successive store closures in Kilkenny provoked public debate concerning the future of shopping in the city. This prompted news articles and discussion around how to support local businesses to ensure they succeed despite general retailing uncertainty17. The latest GeoView Commercial Property Report (for Q2 2020) reveals that the vacancy rate in County Kilkenny (at 12.4%) is below the national average of 13.5%, and is one of only 3 Counties to record a decrease, albeit marginal (at -0.2%) in the previous 12-months18. The debate is consistent with commentary and discourse at national level. Retailing has always been subject to change and that the main streets of towns and villages are constantly adapting and evolving as a result. While rates, rents, car parking restrictions and poor public realm are cited as reasons for shop closures, it is more likely to do with changing values and behaviour of consumers and in particular - online shopping19. Places that accept and plan for change will fare best. In response to the challenges faced by retail owners, Kilkenny County Council has put in place a number of supports including the Small Business Vacant Premises Scheme, and the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) created a Retail Development Programme to assist retail owners to address the challenge they face in this fastchanging sector. Most recently, the Council has facilitated the establishment of a Kilkenny City Task Force. 5.6.3 Retailing in Local Area Plans The Local Area Plans for Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown support and guide retail development in those District Towns. The Callan Local Area Plan (2019) identifies Callan as having experienced an improvement in convenience retailing since 2007, but a decline in comparison floorspace in the same period. Callan reportedly had 522 sqm of vacant retail floorspace, down from 569 sqm in 2007 but up from 440 sqm in 2010. The Castlecomer Local Area Plan (2018) recognises Castlecomer’s classification as a small town in the retail hierarchy described in the Development Plan. The town’s retail activity is generally centred on the Square, and is comprised predominantly of basic convenience shopping and lower order comparison shopping. The soon to be published Graiguenamanagh Local Area Plan 2021, identifies that the food and tourism sector could be enhanced to contribute further to the town’s economic development. 16 Household Budget Survey 2015-2016’, CSO Ireland, 2016 17 During this time the impact of BREXIT was causing uncertainty. 18 GeoView Commercial Property Report Q2 2020 19 Sunday Independent, 4th November, 2018
- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 66 The Thomastown Local Area Plan was adopted in 2019. The LAP identifies that food and food tourism are an important contributor to the local economy. There are a number of leisure trails, including a food trail, which supports the local food economy in the area. The Ferrybank Belview Local Area Plan (2017) recognises the relationship between nearby Waterford City Centre and Ferrybank. The designated district centre has remained unoccupied for retailing since it was constructed in 2009. It currently houses a branch library and the Council Area Office. Whilst at the current time Coronavirus dominates the retail news headlines, key to maintaining a strong economy post-pandemic will be retailers’ ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Notwithstanding the increase in sales in some sectors (including grocery), COVID-19 is guaranteed to have major implications for most retailers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite continued global uncertainty, shifting consumer patterns, and the continued rise of internet shopping, the Irish economy and the retail sector remained strong and competitive. In a market disrupted by continued changes in consumer behaviour, investing in the consumer experience is anticipated to be the key to success20 in securing resiliency in retail stores moving forward. Kilkenny County is seeing the same shifting consumer patterns. Planning policy can play an important role in helping to future proof city, town and village centres against the ongoing uncertainty. 5.6.4 Retail Hierarchy As expected, Kilkenny City sits at the top of the hierarchy as a major town centre/key/ county town. Ferrybank is included at the second tier as a district centre, the tier above the remaining District Towns of Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown. Tiers 4 and 5 are comprised of neighbourhood centres (defined) and small town/village centre/rural areas21. 20 Sunday Independent 4th Nov 2018 Article, Dr. Conor Skehan 21 A detailed evaluation was carried out as part of the County’s Retail Strategy Review, see Appendix A
- Chapter 5 Economic Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 67 Table 5.3 Retail Hierarchy Level/Retail Function Centre Level 1 Kilkenny City Level 2 District Centre Ferrybank District Centre Level 3 District/sub county town Callan Castlecomer Graiguenamanagh Thomastown Level 4 Neighbourhood Centre As designated for Kilkenny City & Environs (Newpark, Loughboy, Loughmacask, Western Environs) and Ferrybank/Belview area in the Environs of Waterford City (Ross Abbey) Level 5 Small Town/village centre/Rural Area Smaller towns and villages and nodes within the county. 5.6.5 Core Retail Areas Kilkenny City is dealt with in detail in Volume 2. 5.6.5.1 District Towns For the District Towns, in general the retail offer does not warrant a Core Retail Area in the same way that is appropriate for Kilkenny City. However, there is value in some form of designation for a retail area within the District Towns and that ideally, the focus for new retail development should be in that retail area. Figures 5.2 to 5.5 show the Core Retail Areas in the four District Towns. 5.6.6 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. See Volume 2 Section 3 Economic & Retail Strategy
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