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 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 115 going development of walking and cycling routes and trails in the city and county in conjunction with agencies such as Trail Kilkenny (see http://www.trailkilkenny.ie) and will support the proposals as set out in the Trail Kilkenny Development & Business Plan. Issues of accessibility such as car parking for walkers and cyclists to the trails must be included in any strategy. Possibilities for improved signage and maps should be facilitated to ensure wider access to the county’s recreational assets. In addition, the Council may seek to incorporate the provision of pedestrian and cycle ways as a condition of planning permission to link amenities, facilities and points of interest. The Council will also encourage the provision of access routes to amenity areas in co-operation with landowners and protect amenity areas from infringement by inappropriate development, and will seek to extend those spaces and pathways that can usefully form green links, footways and cycle ways to connect residential areas with parks and open spaces and with each other. The Council, in conjunction with Laois County Council, Trail Kilkenny and Abbeyleix Community Development, examined the feasibility of using the former Kilkenny to Portlaoise railway line as a trail, in 2012. The feasibility study found that in some sections the track was incomplete, so the development of a continuous trail would pose significant land owner issues. The Council will protect the Kilkenny – Portlaoise former railway line and spur to Castlecomer from encroachment. The Council will cooperate with other state agencies in the development of blueways along existing watercourses as considered appropriate with existing greenways and blueways. The Council will support the progression of long-distance linear greenways and greenway town networks, and the further development and improvements of cycling and walking trails and paths in County Kilkenny, and the provision of appropriate services along these trails, and for the development of linkages between these trails and adjoining counties. The Council will consider appropriate car parking facilities in conjunction with the development on amenity areas, amenity cycleways and walkways. The Council will also support other local authorities and state agencies in the delivery of sustainable strategic greenway, and blueway projects in the region under the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, in particular the Rosslare to Waterford Greenway and the New Ross to St. Mullins connection.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 116 8.4.1 The Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow The Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow (known as the “Three Sisters”) are the principal rivers flowing through County Kilkenny, and they form part of the Natura 2000 network (see Section 9.2.1.1 European Sites (Natura 2000)). These rivers, together with their tributaries 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 and kayaking. Routes along the river have the potential to connect to other trails and routes, such as the Nore Valley Way, as discussed above. The Council will promote the natural amenity potential of the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow in order to facilitate the development of amenity, recreational, biodiversity and tourism benefits for the city and county generally, and will work with adjoining local authorities, agencies and communities to improve access and facilities along the rivers in appropriate locations subject to the availability of resources. 8.4.1.1 River Nore The setting of Kilkenny city in the Nore River Valley provides an opportunity for establishing open spaces and networks of open spaces of strategic value and importance within the city. During the formulation of the Kilkenny Heritage Plan, the River Nore was identified as one of the county’s most important heritage resources. The river encompasses built, natural and cultural heritage; is strongly identified with, and has had a very significant influence on, the life and development of the county. The River Nore Heritage Audit2 has been undertaken as an action of the Heritage Plan. The study provides a comprehensive mapped dataset of the built, natural and cultural heritage of the study area, and the resulting report (which is in the final stages of completion) and database is a very significant 2 Kilkenny Heritage Forum, River Nore Heritage Audit, 2009 Greenways and Blueways Objectives 8J To complete the construction of the Kilkenny Greenway, connecting New Ross to Waterford. 8K To promote and develop the Waterford to Rosslare Greenway in association with Waterford City and County Council and Wexford County Council. 8Ka The Council will investigate the potential of developing a Greenway from Kilkenny to Castlecomer and Ballyragget and onwards to Co. Laois as part of the development of Greenways and Blueways within the County. 8Kb To undertake a metropolitan-wide Open Space, Recreation and Greenbelt Strategy to include the identification of a location for a regional scale park within the Waterford Metropolitan Area as well as the development of neighbourhood parks and open spaces.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 117 resource for community, heritage and tidy towns groups; it has the potential to inform planning and management of the area; and is a baseline against which change can be assessed3. 8.4.1.2 River Barrow The River Barrow flows along the eastern boundary of the county from north of Goresbridge to just north of Belview Port where it joins the River Suir to flow into Waterford Estuary. The River Barrow towpath is a significant amenity resource which runs along the riverbank on the County Carlow side of the river. Part of the towpath, through Counties Kildare and Carlow, is currently being developed as a Blueway. The Council will support proposals to enhance the tourism and recreation potential of the area subject to environmental, economic and heritage considerations. Trail Kilkenny are currently examining the feasibility of a walk connecting St. Mullins to New Ross, which would link the Barrow Blueway to the South East Greenway. The achievement of such a connection will be pursued in conjunction with the relevant agencies, including Carlow and Wexford County Councils. 8.4.1.3 River Suir The Suir River Valley also offers significant opportunities for the development of tourism and recreation in the south of the county. 8.4.2 Riverside Development Factors that will be taken into account when considering proposals affecting the rivers include: • Any landscape or natural, built heritage or archaeological designation for the area (refer to Chapter 9 Heritage for guidance), • Any proposals to increase the extent of public access, • The extent of any environmental improvements to the water environment and its surroundings, • The nature of any recreation use proposed, • Any conflict or compliance with proposals for walking or cycling routes 8.4.3 Riverside and Water sports Development Management Requirements Most development associated with water sports such as slipways, boathouses, toilet and changing facilities, parking areas and access will require planning permission, and all will require screening for Appropriate Assessment. The following requirement must be met: • A high quality of design in terms of layout, buildings and other structures and in the treatment of boundaries either adjacent to the road or the actual waterway must be achieved. The Council will normally require details of landscaping and surface treatments to accompany all planning applications. 3 http://www.kilkennycoco.ie/eng/Services/Heritage/).
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 118 • any development along rivers must set aside land for recreation routes. Such routes could be linked to the wider network of green infrastructure and any established settlements in their vicinity. Water sports cover a wide range of activities from tranquil uses such as angling, sailing, canoeing, rowing and sail boarding to powered activities such as jet skis, water-skiing and powerboat uses. The Council may require management plans for particular water areas to address the compatibility of such varying demands. The Council will normally only permit proposals for development associated with water sports adjacent to waterways and inland lakes where all the following criteria are met. • The proposed facilities are compatible with any existing use of the water, including nonrecreational uses; • It will not have adverse impacts on any Natura 2000 site, will not result in damage to sites of nature conservation importance or features of the archaeological and built heritage; • The development can be satisfactorily integrated into its landscape or townscape surroundings; • The development will not have an unacceptable impact on visual amenity, having regard to the landscape character assessment; and • The development will not result in over intensification of use leading to pollution, excessive noise and nuisance. 8.5 Recreation and Sporting Facilities There are a large number of built recreation and sporting facilities provided throughout the county through a mix of public, private, schools, community facilities and voluntary organisations. Hurling and equestrian pursuits are of considerable importance to the county. Outdoor facilities include GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association), soccer and other playing pitches, golf courses, pitch and putt courses, equestrian facilities and athletic running tracks. Some of these facilities also combine other uses – such as the walking tracks developed around playing pitches and some facilities also combine locations with indoor facilities including swimming pools, gyms and community and sports halls catering for indoor sports – such as at the Watershed in Kilkenny City. The Council will co-operate with local development organisations, community groups, sporting organisations and other stakeholders in the development of active recreational facilities throughout the county and to enter into joint venture arrangements where appropriate for the provision of such facilities. Kilkenny County Council is committed to support the development of Urban and Rural Community Sports Hubs. 8.5.1 Accessibility The Council recognises that local scale facilities must be located close to the population they serve. To this end, the Council will ensure, as far as practicable, that open space and recreational facilities are accessible by sustainable means of transport; namely walking, cycling and public transport,
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 119 depending on the catchment of the facility in question. In general, there will be a presumption against the location of facilities in out-of-centre sites unless the nature of the development is such that it is tied to the location, e.g. a walking trail. Applications for new recreational facilities will be subject to a sequential test. Sequential development means that the overall preferred location for new recreational facilities is within city and town centres or on edge-of-centre sites. Only where the applicant can demonstrate, and the planning authority is satisfied, that there are no sites or potential sites within or on the edge of centres or that suitable pedestrian and cycling connectivity is available should an out-of-centre site be considered. In cases where the nature of the development is such that it is tied to the location, e.g. a walking trail, or a centre connected to existing amenities at that location, the following criteria should be met (in cases where no suitable sites exist within or on the edge of centres, out of centre sites will also be subject to these criteria): Development Management Requirements: • That the development will not cause harm to the appearance and character of the local landscape and can be readily absorbed into its surroundings by taking advantage of existing vegetation and/or topography • That the amenity of the people living nearby or the enjoyment of other countryside users is not adversely affected by the nature, scale, extent, frequency or timing of the recreational activities proposed including any noise or lighting likely to be generated; • That any ancillary built development is small in scale, designed to a high standard and sympathetic to the surrounding environment in its siting, layout and landscape treatment. • Consideration is given to access to the proposed facility by means of transport other than the private car and; • The local road network can safely handle the extra traffic the proposal would generate and satisfactory arrangements are provided for access, parking, drainage, litter and water services. 8.5.2 Protocol for the Development of Facilities The provision of new facilities may not always be preferred as it may be more appropriate to upgrade, refurbish and improve existing facilities, particularly in established settlements. The following protocol will be used to ensure that development occurs in an orderly, sustainable manner, and should be considered as a sequential approach to developing or improving facilities (where existing). a. Bring into use a redundant or infrequently used facility. b. Make better/more frequent use of existing sports facilities, including sharing of facilities. c. Improve management procedures within existing facilities. d. Refurbish facilities within the existing footprint. e. Extend existing facilities. f. Provide a new stand-alone facility, to be considered as a last option once options (a) to (e) have been explored. The final option (f) should be chosen after all other options have explored and ruled out.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 120 8.5.3 Skate Park A skate park is being developed in the Abbey Quarter, Kilkenny City as part of the Riverside Park. The skatepark is current under construction. 8.5.4 Intensive and Major Sports Facilities Intensive sports facilities e.g. stadia provide a wide range of activities attracting significant numbers of spectators, that may have long opening hours. The location of intensive sports facilities can often be contentious. The assessment of the proposal shall have regard, inter alia, to the following criteria. - The proposal is compatible with development plan zonings. - There will be no detrimental impact on residential amenity. - It is located so as to be accessible to its catchment population and gives priority to walking, cycling and public transport and does not generate unacceptable levels of traffic. - It is designed so as to minimise the impact of noise and light pollution. - There is no significant detrimental impact on the natural environment or features of the archaeological or built heritage. - The proposal is of high-quality design and respects and contributes to the character of its location and townscape. - Public access is provided. 8.5.5 Noise Generating Sports The impact of noise is an important issue in assessing proposals for activities such as motor sports. Appropriate sites for the regular use of these sports are not easy to identify and will depend on the type of activity, the tone, level and duration of any noise generated, local topography and the amount of existing and proposed screening. Proposals for noisy sports will only be acceptable where the likely impact can be contained and minimised by landform or woodland. Other suitable sites may include degraded land, former mineral workings or land adjacent to an existing source of noise. In certain cases, it may be considered appropriate to only grant a temporary permission to allow the impact of noise levels and any potential disturbance or nuisance to be more fully assessed. Development Management Requirements: The Council will not normally permit development proposals for sport or recreational uses generating high levels of noise unless the following criteria are met. - There will be no unacceptable disturbance to local residents. - There will be no unacceptable disturbance to farm livestock and wildlife. - There will be no conflict with the enjoyment of areas used for informal recreation. Objective 8L To complete the skate park as part of the Riverside Park at the Abbey Quarter.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 121 - The ambient noise level in the area is already high and the noise likely to be produced by the new activity will not be dominant. 8.5.6 Floodlighting of Recreational Facilities The Council will normally only permit proposals for the floodlighting of recreational facilities where the amenities of adjacent residents will not be significantly impaired and the visual amenity and character of the locality will not be adversely affected. 8.6 Public Rights of Way A public right of way is a person’s right of passage along a road or path, even if the road or path is not in public ownership. They can be created by use from time immemorial, by statute or by dedication by the full owner of the land. The Council recognises the legal rights of all landowners and that rights of access to their lands may only be obtained with their permission where an existing right of way does not exist. A list of existing known rights of way in the county are included as on Appendix C to this plan and are shown on Figure 8.1. Known existing rights of way at the time of writing this Plan are listed, however this is not a comprehensive list, and further work will be carried out during the life of this plan to provide a more extensive listing. • The Council recognises the importance of maintaining established rights of way and supports initiatives for establishing new walking routes and enhanced accessibility. The Council will use its powers under the Planning Acts to preserve, protect, maintain and enhance existing rights of way which give access to seashore, uplands, riverbank or other places of natural beauty or recreational use. • The Council aims to determine where public rights exist and where public rights of way should be created, and to promote their greater use in amenity areas – including access points to the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow and other amenity areas of the County. 8.6.1 Rights of Way Development Management Requirements: • The Council will ensure that development does not impinge on public walking routes or on public rights of way. Objective: 8M To undertake a survey to establish any additional existing public rights of way in the county and establish a register within the life of the Plan. 8N To protect existing public rights of way that give access to estuary, mountain, lakeshore, riverbank or other places of natural beauty or recreational use.
- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 122 8.7 Play Policy The Kilkenny Interagency Play Forum Play Plan 2007 to 20124 was developed based on the National Play Policy Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy5. The policy advocates a child-centred approach to the development of play facilities. The Council will seek to maintain the quality and safety of playgrounds and play areas and create a child-friendly and safe environment where the importance of play is recognised for a child’s development. A number of playgrounds have been developed in various locations throughout the city and county as follows (see Figure 8.3): Kilkenny City (8): Castle Park, Assumption Place, Fr. McGrath Centre, Garringreen, Newpark Close, Margaretsfield, Talbot’s Court and Rose Hill. County (24): Ballyhale, Ballyragget, Bennettsbridge, Callan, Castlecomer Demesne, Clogh/Moneenroe, Coon, Ferrybank (Blackthorn Hills and the Ferrybank Neighbourhood park), Fiddown, Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh, Johnstown, Kells, Kilmacow, Mooncoin, Mullinavat, Paulstown, Stoneyford, Thomastown, Tullaroan, Urlingford, Windgap and Woodstock The Council, in conjunction with Kilkenny Leader Partnership, will investigate the development of playgrounds in the county, as resources permit and will assist communities in the development of the playgrounds. Two additional playgrounds are currently being developed at Bigwood and Piltown. 8.7.1 Development Management Requirements: The Council will require provision for children’s play or developer contributions towards providing children’s play facilities in association with new residential developments. Within new residential developments where there is a significant family residential component the whole environment should be designed so as to permit children to play in safety. (See Chapter 13) 8.8 Allotments An emerging new form of land use has been the development of allotments. Allotment gardens allow a number of people to cultivate their own vegetables in individual plots/land parcels on lands owned by another private individual or body. The individual plot/parcel can vary in size and often the plots include a shed for tools and shelter. Allotments can have a number of benefits including the promotion of healthy lifestyles, biodiversity and providing a cheaper, local and sustainable source of food. The Council will support and facilitate the development of allotments within the county. 4 Kilkenny Interagency Play Forum, Kilkenny County Play Policy 2007-2012 & Kilkenny Implementation Plan, 2007 5 Department of Children & Youth Affairs, Ready, Steady, Play! A National Play Policy Objective 8O To provide a playground at Rosbercon.
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- Chapter 8 Open Space and Recreation Kilkenny City and County Development Plan Volume 1 123 8.9 Recreation/Open Space in new residential development Applicants will be required to make provision for sports and recreational infrastructure commensurate with the needs generated by any development and the capacity of existing facilities in the area to cater for existing and future needs. For details of the requirements for the provision of open space within residential developments refer to Chapter 13.
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