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 7 Rural Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 107 any other development management considerations, such proposals shall not be subject to the policies in Section 7.8.3 Rural Housing Policies that applies to new dwellings (see also Section 9.3.6 Vernacular Built Heritage). 7.8.6 Rural House Design Guidance A Rural Design Guide was produced in 2008 for County Kilkenny. The Design Guide acts as an instrument to develop best practice in the design and siting of one-off rural housing. Those intending to build houses in the countryside are advised to consult the Rural Design Guide for advice on site choice, local design and landscaping at an early stage in their preparations. Further guidance is given in Section 13.22 Rural Housing and Section 12.11.3 Access to National Roads and Section 12.11.10.1 Roads Development Management Requirements. 7.8.7 Implementation of Settlement Strategy The settlement strategy outlined above will be reinforced by the Council reviewing the Local Area Plans that are already made, and preparing additional LAPs and Village Design Statements or other supplementary guidance documents, where appropriate. The settlement strategy will be underpinned by the prioritisation of investment in local infrastructure under the Council’s programmes in water services, roads and other infrastructure. 7.9 Rural Transport Bus services are particularly important in low-population density, dispersed, rural areas, where population mobility levels can be low. The Rural Transport Programme, as well as providing regular public transport services and Demand Responsive services, also funds the provision of ‘Once Off’ trips for individuals and community/voluntary groups to help address rural social exclusion. The programme operates under the brand name Local Link and they operate two types of bus services: 7.9.1 Door-to-Door Routes Rural transport projects, such as ‘Ring-a-Link’, have a key role to play in providing public transport services, particularly in peripheral areas, and in providing access to the services located in towns. Ringa-Link is a rural transport initiative which serves rural communities in County Kilkenny. This community-based rural transport service provides flexible, door to door services to meet the needs of people who cannot access public or private transport locally. Objective 7A To monitor the trends in rural housing and population during the lifetime of the plan to ascertain if further rural housing policy responses are required during the plan period.
- Chapter 7 Rural Development Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 108 7.9.2 Scheduled Routes Rural bus services play a vital social role in urban and rural communities, linking rural areas with settlements and essential services, such as schools and healthcare facilities. Bus services, both public and private, will continue to be the principal form of public transportation service in the region. To improve the effectiveness of rural transport services, the following measures are required: - (a) Improved connectivity to inter-regional bus services at connection points. (b) Development and use of new technology to support demand response services. The Council will support and facilitate local and community-based initiatives, to provide rural transport services within the County. This will improve accessibility and promote social inclusion.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 109 8 Open Space and Recreation Strategic Aim: To ensure the provision of open space and recreational facilities in order to maintain, and improve open spaces that contribute to the well-being and making of place for the benefit of residents, workers and visitors to the County while protecting and enhancing biodiversity. 8.1 Introduction Open space performs a wide range of functions relating to amenity, biodiversity, education, social and community benefits, and health benefits. Public Open Space is a key element in defining the overall quality of the residential environment. As well as providing passive and active recreational benefits for residents, open space enhances the aesthetic and environmental quality of a neighbourhood or town and promotes social interaction. The Council is committed to the protection and sustainable development of the amenities of the county for recreational purposes to benefit residents and to aid in the promotion of tourism. The Council will ensure that people are at the centre of all open space and recreation opportunities and activities and will ensure that co-design and participatory processes are used to engage people in shaping their built-environment, with a particular focus on supporting harder to reach communities to take part in public engagement processes. The Council, with the assistance of relevant agencies and sporting organisations in Kilkenny, will seek to: • preserve and improve amenities and recreational facilities, and shall facilitate and provide for the extension of recreational amenities where appropriate, subject to environmental, heritage and financial considerations. • Increase levels of local participation, improve access and promote the development of opportunities for the benefit of all groups of the population to become involved in sports and recreation, in conjunction with Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (www.krsp.ie.). The Council will use its powers under the Planning & Development Acts to ensure that adequate recreational open space and facilities are provided for all groups of the population at a convenient distance from their homes and places of work. Residents, workers, and visitors to Kilkenny benefit from a rich natural heritage, including its rivers valleys, wetlands, woodlands and uplands. These natural heritage components plus open spaces and playing fields form part of the interconnected networks of Green Infrastructure. This Chapter addresses open space provision in general. Requirements for the provision of private and public open space as part of any planning application are set out in Chapter 13. 8.2 Hierarchy of Open Space Recreational space is provided in parks of various sizes throughout the county ranging from regional parks and major local parks down to smaller pocket parks, private gardens and balconies, as well as
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 110 intensive recreational, amenity and community facilities such as active Multiple Games Areas (MUGAs). This Plan aims to achieve a hierarchy of high quality, attractive and secure public and private open spaces. In the Waterford Metropolitan Area, the Southern Regional and Economic Strategy has included an objective for the preparation of a Metropolitan-wide Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy. The Council will cooperate and participate in the preparation of such a Strategy, in co-ordination with Southern Regional Assembly, Waterford City and County Council and relevant stakeholders. 8.2.1 Regional Parks The County hosts a number of regional-scale facilities, such as the Castle Park, Castlecomer Demesne, the River Nore Linear Park and Woodstock Estate in Inistioge. 8.2.1.1 Castle Park The Castle Park is located in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle and is about 50 acres in extent. It contains a playground and is extensively used for walking, running and passive amenity. It is a significant piece of green infrastructure within the City and environs. It is in State ownership and is operated by the Office of Public Works. 8.2.1.2 River Nore Linear Park The Nore Linear Park provides a network of footpaths and cycleways along the river in the City and Environs combined with a sequence of high-quality public spaces, which is a significant recreational and biodiversity asset to the city. Within the City, a walk between Talbotsinch and Ossory Bridge has been developed and upgraded to make it accessible to all users, including cyclists, people with disabilities and people using buggies. Two pedestrian bridges provide access across the river: the Ossory Pedestrian Bridge under the Ossory Road Bridge to the west of the City, and The Lady Desart Bridge along Bateman Quay in the city centre. The provision of a third pedestrian bridge at Talbotsinch would connect the River Nore Linear Park to the Bleach Road and the northeastern area of the City. The part of the Nore Linear Park that runs through the Abbey Quarter is being developed at present, known as the Riverside Park. A boardwalk will also be provided along Greensbridge, which will connect the southern Nore Linear Park, to the northern element, through the Abbey Quarter Riverside Linear Park. The Nore Linear Park also connects with countryside riverside trails to the south, and this is the starting point of the Nore Valley Walk (See Section 8.3 Trails, Walkways). The Council is currently engaged in developing a recreational and biodiversity park on the site of the now closed municipal landfill at Dunmore, adjacent to the Civic Amenity Site and the training facility for Kilkenny GAA. This Park can be accessed from the existing public roads; the Castlecomer Road, N77 and the Bleach Road. It is an objective to provide for pedestrian and cycle access to the facility utilising the River Nore Linear Park. A pedestrian bridge at Talbotsinch would provide connectivity from the western side of the City to the linear park and then onto the proposed biodiversity park.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 111 8.2.1.3 The Breagagh and Pococke River Corridors The Breagagh River corridor, from the Water Barrack (westwards and southwards) is designated open space for most of its course and has the potential to be developed as a regional open space providing links from the Western Environs to the City. Sections of the Pococke River to the east of the city centre are designated open space. There is potential to link the Pococke open space areas back to the existing residential developments and the River Nore walking route/River Nore Linear Park. The Council will seek to establish public parks along the Pococke and Breagagh Rivers subject to resources and finances. The River Nore is the principal river flowing through Kilkenny City, and together with the River Breagagh and River Pococke, offer significant opportunities for recreational opportunities both water and landside, including an interconnecting network of routes for walking and cycling which also provide access for water-sports such as swimming, angling, boating, kayaking and nature trails amongst others. Routes along the river have the potential to connect to other trails – such as walking, cycling and driving trails in the county and routes along the River Nore have been extended out of Kilkenny city to link with routes in the countryside. The River Nore and Pococke River form part of the Natura 2000 network (see Section 9.2.1.1 European Sites (Natura 2000)). The Council will promote the natural amenity potential of the River Nore, River Breagagh and Pococke River in order to facilitate the development of amenity, recreational, biodiversity and tourism benefits for the city, and will work with agencies and communities to improve access and facilities along the rivers in appropriate locations subject to the availability of resources. 8.2.1.4 Ferrybank Linear Parks Throughout the Belview /Ferrybank plan area there is a significant amount of interconnected open space, in the Passive Open Space, Active Open Space and Water Compatible Development zones. In any review of the Belview/Ferrybank LAP this open space strategy will continue with a comprehensive walking (and cycling) network. The establishment of linkages and connections between areas of open space as identified in this LAP is essential if this goal is to be realised.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 112 8.2.2 Neighbourhood Parks In addition to the Regional parks as outlined above, day to day recreational provision for local communities will be provided by a series of neighbourhood parks. The District towns and Ferrybank are all served by town parks, which are generally in a very central location and easily accessible. These parks provide facilities for both formal and informal recreation in a parkland environment. In the City, neighbourhood parks were provided at Loughboy and Newpark as part of the development of these neighbourhoods. In the Breagagh Valley and Loughmacask neighbourhoods, the provision of recreational facilities is a requirement of their phased development. Provision has been made in both of these areas for open space networks, neighbourhood parks and smaller pocket parks as part of the Local Area Plans previously prepared in 2004 and 2008 (See Volume 2 Core Strategy). The Clover Social Centre is located in Christendom. The possible redevelopment of the overall site for sports and amenity uses, with retention of the social centre, is being explored. The Council will support the retention of the Clover Social Club and facilitate public use of the associated open space. 8.2.3 Local Parks There is a series of open spaces throughout the built-up areas of Kilkenny city, which provide a range of informal, passive and active recreational spaces. Some are located within housing developments or some are small pocket parks within the wider public realm. Regional Park Objectives 8A To develop a recreational and biodiversity park on the site of the now closed municipal landfill at Dunmore. 8B To progress plans for the provision of a pedestrian bridge upstream of Greens Bridge including the provision of access along the eastern bank of the river up from Greensbridge, to the proposed bio-diversity park at Dunmore as part of the River Nore Linear Park. 8C Construction of a Boardwalk at Greensbridge to link the River Nore Riverside Walk at Riverside Drive with the new Riverside Linear Park in the Abbey Quarter and onwards to the Canal Walk 8D To undertake a feasibility study to determine the optimal location for, and to develop, a water sports hub on the River Nore 8E To provide a pedestrian crossing along the northern side of Greens Bridge.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 113 8.2.4 Protection of Open Space The Council will not normally permit development which is not compatible with or would result in the loss of green infrastructure or land zoned for recreational or open space purposes. An exception may be considered where one or more of the following requirements are demonstrably met: • There is a clear excess of playing fields or open space provision within the area. This should take into account the long-term needs of the community, the type, recreational, amenity value and accessibility of such provision. • Alternative compensatory provision is made which is both accessible to and of equal or greater quality and benefit to the community served by the existing open space. • The continued use, proper maintenance and enhancement of the amenity/facility can best be achieved by the redevelopment of a portion of the site that will not adversely affect its overall sporting, recreational, amenity or place making value of the facility. • The site is indicated for an alternative use in this Development Plan. 8.3 Trails, Cycleways, Walkways and Linear Parks There are a number of walking routes available in Kilkenny, through publicly owned and private lands – including long distance and looped walks and hiking routes1. Current trails (and rights of way) are depicted on Figure 8.1. The Council will continue to identify and promote a series of walking routes within the city and county and to link these to a strategic network of trails where feasible. Long distance walking routes in the county include the South Leinster Way (stretching from Graiguenamanagh to Piltown) and the Nore Valley Walk. The Nore Valley walk currently has two complete sections; Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge and Thomastown to Inistioge. It remains a priority objective to complete the third section, from Bennettsbridge to Thomastown. Trail Kilkenny are the lead agency in the development of this walk. There are also over 15 linear, looped and community walks throughout the county that have been developed by various agencies, including Trail Kilkenny and Coillte. The Council recognises the value of looped walks with public lighting in towns and villages, and will facilitate further development of such walks where feasible. Two walks are currently planned; a looped trail around the slate quarries of the Lingaun River Valley, and a walk through Castlecomer. Long distance cycling trails have been developed or are in various stages of development throughout the county through the work of a number of agencies. Trail Kilkenny have developed two long distance cycling routes (the East and North Kilkenny routes) and two cycle loops (the North and South Kilkenny loops). A route links Kilkenny City with Carlow town with a total length of 44.5km. Slí na Sláinte is an innovative scheme developed by the Irish Heart Foundation, supported by the HSE to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk for leisure and good health. To date there are nearly 220 routes around the country. 1 A list of existing walking and cycling routes is included in Appendix C to this plan and shown on Figure 8.1.
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- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 114 Slí na Sláinte is an important and valuable facility for every community. The widespread appeal is due to the fact that it provides an easily accessible and inexpensive environment for regular exercise. Many GAA club grounds within county have developed walking routes around their facilities. They provide a perfect location for a Slí na Sláinte route. They are regularly frequented by the community; they are safe, well maintained and can work in harmony with the local club to promote the many health benefits of active lifestyle. It will be the Council’s policy to support community organisations in the development of walking routes such as Slí na Sláinte. The Council will support, promote and facilitate a comprehensive network of greenways, linking parks and public open spaces to the Regional and National Greenway Networks and work with the NTA and adjoining local authorities and communities in this regard. It is Council policy to continue to assist with and support the development of the Nore Valley Walk and protect its route from encroachment by unsympathetic development. 8.4 Greenways and Blueways There are two Greenways under development at present within the county, one of which is the Waterford to New Ross Greenway, known as the South East Greenway and incorporates the Kilkenny Greenway. This Greenway is a joint venture between Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford County Councils. While the three Councils are backing the project, it primarily passes through County Kilkenny, see Figure 8.2. The second greenway under development is the Rosslare to Waterford Greenway. The route is centred around the out-of-service Rosslare Strand to Waterford rail corridor north of Belview Port. It will form part of a proposed integrated network of greenways, blueways and EuroVelo routes in the region providing an array of recreational facilities, constructed to the highest quality standards, for enjoyment by local and visiting pedestrians and cyclists. It will link to the Kilkenny Greenway at Belview, avoiding the working port area. The Council will investigate the potential of and opportunities for the funding of walking and cycling greenways and trails in the county, and for the development of linkages between existing trails and others in adjoining counties; and support national trail development in conjunction with other local authorities, agencies and organisations. The Council will continue to support and facilitate the on- Trails and Walkways Objectives: 8F To continue the development of new trails and walkways such as the Castlecomer, Knockdrinna Wood and Ballyhale Looped Walks and the upgrade of others such as the Freshford, Gathabawn and Kilmacoliver Looped Walks and the Nore Valley Walk. 8G Investigate the development of a horse trail/bridle path at Woodstock estate. 8H To complete the development of the linear park along the River Nore in the area of the Abbey Quarter. 8I To extend the linear park at the Abbey Quarter to link with the existing section of the River Nore Linear Park at Riverside Drive.
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Source Kilkenny County Council: Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.