Changes in zoning a feature of Kilcullen LAP

The changes in the Kilcullen Local Area Plan 2014-2019 compared to the Plan adopted in 2008 include a 16 hectares rezoning from Residential to Agriculture, Naas Municipal District councillors were told in a Planners Briefing on the Plan, writes Brian Byrne.

This is because the level of Residential zoned land in the former Plan exceeded demands during its life.

No additional employment lands have been zoned, as there are currently 24ha of zoned lands available, and three sites have been rezoned from Industrial & Warehousing to Agricultural because there are 'more appropriate' lands available at 'established locations', the councillors were told.

A change to zoning on lands south of the Avondale estate will involve making current Residential land Industrial & Warehousing. The councillors were told this reflects the development of the road serving Kilcullen Business Campus.

An area of land behind the Hillcrest Apartments has been rezoned from Town Centre to Open Space, as the land is considered by the planners to be too steep for development.

Land adjacent to Riverside Manor has been rezoned New Residential from Town Centre, reflecting the number of vacant premises along Main Street (above) and availability of other Town Centre sites.

Nearby, a small area of land adjacent to the Canoe Club has been rezoned from Town Centre to Open Space.

The planners have also rezoned an area of Council-owned land behind the Community Centre from Existing Residential to Open Space & Amenity. This is to facilitate the development of a Teen Play Facility as recommended by Simon Wallace.

The councillors were informed of Indicative Design Briefs to the Expansion Area of the Cattle Mart and adjacent lands (above), and the Neighbourhood Edge lands east of Main Street adjacent to Market Square (below).

An objective for a Relief Road over the Liffey west of the town remains in the new Draft LAP, while a proposed objective for one east of the town has been dropped. A new streets objective is one from Main Street to the existing access road to Riverside Manor, to serve the residential aspect for the Neighbourhood Edge lands.

A Playground objective is retained in the Draft LAP adjacent to the north bank of the river, a condition of a planning permission granted to Brendan O'Connell.